Patent Publication Number: US-2022212115-A1

Title: Toy with identification code

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage Application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371, of International Application No. PCT/JP2020/022155, filed on Jun. 4, 2020, which claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2019-109417, filed on Jun. 12, 2019; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to an optically readable identification code. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-170515 discloses an identification-code-provided card having an identification code portion provided in a surface of a card main body. A QR code (registered trademark) is described as an example of an identification code in the identification code portion. Japanese Utility Model No. 3058491 discloses an identification-code-provided block having an identification code portion provided in a surface of a block main body. The specific mode of an identification code in the identification code portion is unknown. 
     Widely known optically readable identification codes include two-dimensional codes such as a QR code (registered trademark) and one-dimensional codes such as a barcode. These identification codes generally include a plurality of black portions and a plurality of white portions. When an identification code portion including such an identification code is provided in a surface of a toy main body, a colored surface in particular, the appearance of the toy main body might be compromised depending on the identification code. 
     SUMMARY 
     One object to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a novel optically readable identification code and a toy with identification code with which a toy main body can be prevented from having the appearance compromised as much as possible. 
     A toy with identification code according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a toy main body provided with an identification code portion including an optically readable identification code, wherein the identification code includes a plurality of dark color portions and a plurality of light color portions, and a chromatic color with an intensity lower than an intensity of a chromatic color used for the dark color portions is used for the light color portions. 
     With the toy with identification code according to one embodiment of the present invention, the toy main body can be prevented from having the appearance compromised as much as possible. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an example of a toy with identification code according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of an identification code portion illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of a toy with identification code according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of an identification code portion illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     A toy with identification code  10  illustrated as an example in  FIG. 1  has an identification code portion  12  provided in a surface of a toy main body  11  having a fishing lure shape. The toy with identification code  10  is a game assisting item usable while fishing-related game software is being executed, and an identification code  13  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the identification code portion  12  can be optically read by using a code reading device attached to a game device, as described later. 
     The toy main body  11  has an outer shape resembling a fish, and has a surface with a color (coloring) corresponding to the target fish (here, the dominant color (coloring) is green). The toy main body  11  includes an eyelet portion  11   a  and a hook portion  11   b  similar to those of an actual fishing lure. Note that sharp portions of the hook portion  11   b  and the like are rounded to prevent injury during use. 
     The position of the identification code portion  12  in the surface of the toy main body  11  is not particularly limited, as long as the identification code  13  can be optically read. The toy main body  11  may alternatively have an outer shape resembling a fish other than that illustrated, crustaceans such as shrimp, cephalopods such as squid, or the like. The positions, the numbers, and the shapes of the eyelet portions  11   a  and the hook portions  11   b  of the toy main body  11  are not particularly limited, and other parts such as a lip portion or a decorative portion (guide portion) may be additionally provided. 
     The identification code portion  12  is provided in the surface of the toy main body  11  by methods such as attaching a print sticker or direct printing. The identification code portion  12  includes the identification code  13  holding identification information on the toy with identification code  10 . 
     The identification code  13  of the identification code portion  12  illustrated as an example in  FIG. 2  includes a plurality of dark color portions (reference numeral omitted) and a plurality of light color portions (reference numeral omitted). A chromatic color with an intensity lower than that of a chromatic color used for the dark color portions is used for the light color portions. One or more chromatic colors are used for the light color portions, and each light color portion is colored with a single chromatic color. 
     A detailed description is given on modes of the identification code portion  12  and the identification code  13  with reference to  FIG. 2 . The identification code  13  is a data matrix of a square type, which is one type of a two-dimensional code, and includes a data area  13   c  surrounded by an L-shaped alignment pattern  13   a  and an inverted L-shaped clock pattern  13   b.  A quiet zone  13   d  is provided at the circumference of the identification code  13 . The total number of cells in the identification code  13  is 324 (18 cells×18 cells), and the total number of cells in the data area  13   c  is 256 (16 cells×16 cells). 
     For example, when the size of a single cell is 0.5 mm×0.5 mm, the actual size of the identification code  13  is 9 mm×9 mm. In this case, when the quiet zone  13   d  is 1 mm (corresponding to two cells), the actual size of the identification code portion  12  is 11 mm×11 mm. When the quiet zone  13   d  is 0.5 mm (corresponding to one cell), the actual size of the identification code portion  12  is 10 mm×10 mm. For example, when the size of a single cell is 0.25 mm×0.25 mm, the actual size of the identification code  13  is 4.5 mm×4.5 mm. In this case, when the quiet zone  13   d  is 0.5 mm (corresponding to two cells), the actual size of the identification code portion  12  is 5.5 mm×5.5 mm. When the quiet zone  13   d  is 0.25 mm (corresponding to one cell), the actual size of the identification code portion  12  is 5 mm×5 mm. 
     The total number of cells in the identification code  13  is not limited to 324. The total number of cells may be smaller than 324, with the identification code  13  including 16 cells×16 cells, 14 cells×14 cells, 12 cells×12 cells, or 10 cells×10 cells. Conversely, the total number of cells may be more than  324 , with the identification code  13  including 20 cells×20 cells, 22 cells×22 cells, 24 cells×24 cells, 26 cells×26 cells, 32 cells×32 cells, or 36 cells×36 cells. 
     Still, when reading resolution of the code reading device described later used for optically reading the identification code  13  of the identification code portion  12  is not so high, the size of a single cell smaller than 0.25 mm×0.25 mm might result in a reading error. Thus, this point needs to be taken into consideration. When the size of the identification code portion  12  is larger than 11 mm×11 mm, the ratio of area in the surface of the toy main body  11  occupied by the identification code portion  12  can be large depending on the size of the toy main body  11 , and thus the appearance of the toy main body  11  might be compromised due to a factor other than color. Thus, this point also needs to be taken into consideration. 
     A detailed description will be given on colors of the dark color portions (dark color cells) and the light color portions (light color cells) of the identification code  13  with reference to  FIG. 2 . For the identification code  13 , a CMYK color model is used for the sake of the printing thereof. Of the total number of cells 324, 154 dark color cells have a color black (K), and 170 light color cells each have a color cyan (C), magenta (M), or yellow (Y). 
     According to Japan Color 2011 conforming to ISO, the respective target densities of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) can be, for example, 1.70, 1.55, 1.50 to 1.55, and 1.32 to 1.38. The respective CIELAB values (L*,a*,b*) in a L*a*b* color system of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) can be, for example, (16,1,2), (53,−36,−52), (46,76,−3), and (89,−6,94). 
     Of the 154 dark color cells, dark color cells excluding the alignment pattern  13   a  and the clock pattern  13   b,  that is, the dark color cells in the data area  13   c  are randomly depicted for the sake of illustration, and do not indicate specific information. 
     Considering the above-described fact that the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main body  11  is colored is green, of the 170 light color cells, 82 light color cells have the color cyan (C), 82 light color cells have the color yellow (Y), and the remaining 6 light color cells have the color magenta (M). The magenta (M) light color cells are arranged on the outer circumference of the data area  13   c  so as to be less noticeable, and the cyan (C) light color cells and the yellow (Y) light color cells are dispersed as much as possible so that each type of such cells are not densely arranged in a single location, and are adjacently arranged. 
     The ratio among the numbers of the cyan (C), the magenta (M), and the yellow (Y) cells (color area ratio) is set as described above, and the cells are arranged as described above, so that the mixed color of CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) in the 170 light color cells corresponds to the dominant color (green) with which the surface of the toy main body  11  is colored. In other words, the 170 light color cells of the identification code  13  can be seen to be in a green color that is the same as or similar to the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main body  11  is colored. This is evident when the toy with identification code  10  is viewed from a certain distance. 
     The code reading device usable for optically reading the identification code  13  of the identification code portion  12  of the identification code provided toy  10  illustrated as an example in  FIG. 1  not only includes one having a function of binarizing an image captured by an infrared-based code reader or digital camera and capturing identification information (binary data) from the binary image, but also includes one having a function of binarizing an image captured by a non-infrared-based code reader or digital camera using a filter or digital processing for removing the light color portions (light color cells) and capturing identification information (binary data) from the binary image. Thus, the optically readable identification code of one embodiment of the present invention cannot be read and thus correct data cannot be obtained therefrom using a normal optical camera alone, meaning that a risk of information leakage can be reduced. 
     As described above, the chromatic color with an intensity lower than that of the chromatic color used for the dark color portions (dark color cells) is used for the light color portions (light color cells) of the identification code  13  of the identification code portion  12 , whereby the improvement in the appearance (designability) of the toy main body  11  can be facilitated, with the appearance prevented from being compromised as much as possible, as in a case where an identification code portion including an identification code with the dark color portions being black and the light color portions being white is provided on the surface of the toy main body  11 , a colored surface in particular. 
     The CMYK color model is used for the colors of the dark color portions (dark color cells) and the light color portions (light color cells) of the identification code  13 , whereby the identification code  13  can be easily produced, even when the identification code portion  12  including the identification code  13  is provided in the surface of the toy main body  11  through a procedure such as attaching a print sticker or direct printing. The identification code of one embodiment of the present invention is difficult to reproduce through scanning and copying using normal printers or copiers, because such an approach results in an unclear boundary between the dark color portions (dark color cells) and the light color portions (light color cells), meaning that the fraudulent copying of the identification code can be prevented. 
     With the ratio among the numbers of CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) cells used for the light color cells of the identification code  13  (color area ratio) adjusted, the CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) mixed color of the light color cells corresponds to the dominant color (green) with which the surface of the toy main body  11  is colored. This can also contribute to the improvement of the appearance of the toy main body  11 . It is a matter of course that when the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main body  11  is colored is green, only CY (cyan, yellow) may be used for the light color cells of the identification code  13  to achieve a similar effect. 
     When the toy main body  11  has an outer appearance resembling a fish, the plurality of dark color portions (dark color cells) and light color portions (light color cells) forming the identification code  13 , the light color portions (light color cells) using chromatic colors in particular can appear as fish scales. This can also contribute to the improvement of the appearance of the toy main body  11 . 
     When the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main body  11  is colored is blue, the ratio among the numbers of CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) cells used for the light color cells (color area ratio) may be adjusted to obtain blue, or only CM (cyan, magenta) may be used for the light color cells. When the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main body  11  is colored is red, the ratio among the numbers of CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) cells used for the light color cells (color area ratio) may be adjusted to obtain red, or only MY (magenta, yellow) may be used for the light color cells. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the quiet zone  13   d  not colored with CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) as an example. Alternatively, the quiet zone  13   d  may be colored similarly to the light color cells. Specifically, when the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main body  11  is colored is green, blue, or red, the quiet zone  13   d  may be colored based on the similar color area ratio or selected colors to those described above. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A toy with identification code  20  illustrated as an example in  FIG. 3  has an identification code portion  22  provided in the surface of a toy main body  21  having a card shape. The toy with identification code  20  is a game assisting item usable while card-related game software is being executed, and an identification code  23  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the identification code portion  22  can be optically read by using a code reading device attached to a game device, as described later. 
     The toy main body  21  has a surface provided with a title (see ABCDE at an upper left part in  FIG. 3 , reference numeral omitted), and a unique picture portion  21   a  corresponding to the title or the like, specifically, the picture portion  21   a  (such as drawing, photograph, or illustration) including a skeleton and a casket. The surface has a color (the dominant color for this coloring is red) corresponding to the title and the picture portion  21   a.    
     The position of the identification code portion  22  in the surface of the toy main body  21  is not particularly limited, as long as the identification code  23  can be optically read. The picture portion  21   a  provided in the surface of the toy main body  21  may be a drawing, a photograph, an illustration, or the like of a non-living object such as a character, a living object such as an animal, or the like different from that illustrated as an example. Furthermore, the title can also be changed as appropriate. 
     The identification code portion  22  is provided in the surface of the toy main body  21  by a procedure such as attaching a print sticker or direct printing. The identification code portion  22  includes the identification code  23  holding identification information on the toy with identification code  20 . 
     As in the first embodiment, the identification code  23  of the identification code portion  22  illustrated as an example in  FIG. 4  includes a plurality of dark color portions (reference numeral omitted) and a plurality of light color portions (reference numeral omitted). A chromatic color with an intensity lower that of a chromatic color used for the dark color portions is used for the light color portions. One or more chromatic colors are used for the light color portions, and each light color portion is colored with a single chromatic color. 
     A detailed description is given on modes of the identification code portion  22  and the identification code  23  with reference to  FIG. 4 . The identification code  23  is a data matrix of a square type, which is one type of a two-dimensional code, and includes a data area  23   c  surrounded by an L-shaped alignment pattern  23   a  and an inverted L-shaped clock pattern  23   b.  A quiet zone  23   d  is provided at the circumference of the identification code  23 . The total number of cells in the identification code  23  is 324 (18 cells×18 cells), and the total number of cells in the data area  23   c  is 256 (16 cells×16 cells). 
     The size of a single cell, the actual size of the identification code  23 , the actual size of the identification code portion  22 , the total number of cells, and the matters to be taken into consideration are the same as those described above in the first embodiment, and thus will not be described herein. 
     A detailed description will be given on colors of the dark color portions (dark color cells) and the light color portions (light color cells) of the identification code  23  with reference to  FIG. 4 . For the identification code  23 , a CMYK color model is used for the sake of the printing thereof. Of the total number of cells 324, 154 dark color cells have a color black (K), and 170 light color cells each have a color magenta (M) or yellow (Y). 
     The target densities of black (K), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), and the CIELAB values (L*,a*,b*) of the L*a*b* color system are the same as those described above in the first embodiment, and thus will not be described herein. Of the 154 dark color cells, dark color cells excluding the alignment pattern  23   a  and the clock pattern  23   b,  that is, the dark color cells in the data area  23   c  are randomly depicted for the sake of illustration, and do not indicate specific information. 
     Considering the above-described fact that the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main body  21  is colored is red as described above, of the 170 light color cells, 85 light color cells have the color magenta (M) and 85 light color cells have the color yellow (Y). The magenta (M) light color cells and the yellow (Y) light color cells are dispersed as much as possible so that each type of such cells are not densely arranged in a single location, and are adjacently arranged. 
     The ratio among the numbers of the magenta (M) and the yellow (Y) cells (color area ratio) is set as described above, and the cells are arranged as described above, so that the mixed color of MY (magenta, yellow) in the 170 light color cells corresponds to the dominant color (red) with which the surface of the toy main body  11  is colored. In other words, the 170 light color cells of the identification code  23  can be seen to be in a red color that is the same as or similar to the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main body  21  is colored. This is evident when the toy with identification code  20  is viewed from a certain distance. 
     The code reading device usable for optically reading the identification code  23  of the identification code portion  22  of the identification code provided toy  20  illustrated as an example in  FIG. 3  not only includes one having a function of binarizing an image captured by an infrared-based code reader or digital camera and capturing identification information (binary data) from the binary image, but also includes one having a function of binarizing an image captured by a non-infrared-based code reader or digital camera using a filter or digital processing for removing the light color portions (light color cells) and capturing identification information (binary data) from the binary image. 
     As described above, the chromatic color with an intensity lower than that of the chromatic color used for the dark color portions (dark color cells) is used for the light color portions (light color cells) of the identification code  23  of the identification code portion  22 , whereby the improvement in the appearance of the toy main body  21  can be facilitated, with the appearance prevented from being compromised as much as possible, as in a case where an identification code portion including an identification code with the dark color portions being black and the light color portions being white is provided on the surface of the toy main body  21 , a colored surface in particular. 
     The CMYK color model is used for the colors of the dark color portions (dark color cells) and the light color portions (light color cells) of the identification code  23 , whereby the identification code  23  can be easily produced, even when the identification code portion  22  including the identification code  23  is provided in the surface of the toy main body  11  through a procedure such as attaching a print sticker or direct printing. 
     With the ratio among the numbers of MY (magenta, yellow) cells used for the light color cells of the identification code  23  (color area ratio) adjusted, the MY (magenta, yellow) mixed color of the light color cells corresponds to the dominant color (red) with which the surface of the toy main body  21  is colored. This can also contribute to the improvement of the appearance of the toy main body  21 . It is a matter of course that when the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main body  21  is colored is red, CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) may be used for the light color cells of the identification code  23  and the ratio among the numbers of cells (color area ratio) may be adjusted to achieve a similar effect. 
     When the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main body  21  is colored is blue, only CM (cyan, magenta) may be used for the light color cells, or CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) may be used for the light color cells and the ratio among the numbers of cells (color area ratio) may be adjusted to obtain blue. When the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main body  21  is colored is green, only CY (cyan, yellow) may be used for the light color cells, or CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) may be used for the light color cells and the ratio among the numbers of cells (color area ratio) may be adjusted to obtain green. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the quiet zone  23   d  not colored with CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) as an example. Alternatively, the quiet zone  23   d  may be colored similarly to the light color cells. Specifically, when the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main body  21  is colored is red, blue, or green, the quiet zone  13   d  may be colored based on the similar color area ratio or selected colors to those described above. 
     Other Embodiments 
     (1)  FIG. 2  illustrates an example for the first embodiment described above, where the number of chromatic colors used for the light color portions of the identification code  13  is three, that is, CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow).  FIG. 4  illustrates an example for the second embodiment described above, where the number of chromatic colors used for the light color portions of the identification code  23  is two, that is, MY (magenta, yellow). However, when the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main bodies  11  and  21  is colored is cyan, the color of all of the light color portions of the identification codes  13  and  23  may be cyan (C). When the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main bodies  11  and  21  is colored is magenta, the color of all of the light color portions of the identification codes  13  and  23  may be magenta (M). When the dominant color with which the surface of the toy main bodies  11  and  21  is colored is yellow, the color of all of the light color portions of the identification codes  13  and  23  may be yellow (Y). 
     (2) According to the embodiments described above and (1) described above, an example is provided where the number of chromatic colors used for the light color portions of the identification codes  13  and  23  is one or more selected from CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow). However, a chromatic color other than CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) may be used. Still, considering the fact that the identification code portions  12  and  23  including the identification codes  13  and  23  are provided on the surfaces of the toy main bodies  11  and  21  through a procedure such as attaching a print sticker or direct printing, the number of chromatic colors used for the light color portions of the identification codes  13  and  23  is conveniently one or more selected from CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) for the sake of printing. 
     (3) In the embodiments described above, an example is described where the color of the dark color portions of the identification codes  13  and  23  is black (K). The identification codes  13  and  23  can be optically read as long as the intensity of the dark color portions is higher than the intensity of the light color portions. Thus, a color other than black (K) may be used as the color of the dark color portions of the identification codes  13  and  23  if this condition is satisfied. 
     (4) In the embodiments described above, an example is described where the data matrix of a square type is used as the identification codes  13  and  23 . However, a data matrix of a laterally elongated rectangle type (with the number of cells in the vertical direction being ½ of the number of cells in the horizontal direction) may be used as appropriate for the identification codes. 
     (5) In the embodiments described above, an example is described where the data matrix is used as the identification codes  13  and  23 . However, other known two-dimensional codes may be used as appropriate for the identification codes. Examples of such codes include a matrix type code such as a QR code (registered trademark) and VeriCode, and a stack type code such as PDF 417 and CODE 49. 
     (6) In the embodiments described above, an example is described where a two-dimensional code (data matrix) is used as the identification codes  13  and  23 . However, a one-dimensional code, known examples of which include JAN, ITF, NW-7, CODE 39, CODE 128, or the like, may be used as appropriate instead of the two-dimensional code. In a case of the one-dimensional code, a dark color bar (black bar) corresponds to the dark color portions, and a light color space (white space) corresponds to the light color portions. 
     (7)  FIG. 1  illustrates as an example for the first embodiment described above, where the toy with identification code  10  having the toy main body  11  of a fishing lure shape.  FIG. 3  illustrates as an example for the second embodiment described above, the toy with identification code  20  having the toy main body  21  of a card shape. The toy main body may be something other than these, such as one resembling a weapon, one resembling a vehicle, an action figure, a plush toy, or the like. The toy main body is not necessarily a game assisting item usable while the game software is being executed. 
     The optically readable identification codes of embodiments of the present invention are applicable to various items other than toys, such as a packaging container for food or the like, electric appliances, books, or tickets. With the identification codes having colors (coloring) suitable for the outer appearance of the items, identification-code-provided items with a higher designability can be provided. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       10  . . . toy with identification code,  11  . . . toy main body,  12  . . . identification code portion,  13  . . . identification code,  20  . . . toy with identification code,  21  . . . toy main body,  22  . . . identification code portion,  23  . . . identification code.