Patent Description:
Conventionally, information codes based on various reading methods have been developed for the purpose of increasing capacity, saving space, and improving convenience including high-speed reading and high reading accuracy. For example, the information code (two-dimensional code) disclosed in Patent Literature (PTL) <NUM> below, which is an application that forms the basis of what is called a QR code (registered trademark), is formed by converting binary-coded data into cells and arranging the cells as a pattern on a two-dimensional matrix, and is characterized by being readable using pattern positioning symbols which are arranged at at least two predetermined positions in the matrix and from which scanning lines each crossing the center at various angles have the same ratio of frequency components. With the QR code configured in this manner, a revolutionary information code is obtained which can be read at high speed in all directions and can be read with accuracy and in which the proportion of data (the percentage of a data region in the code) is high.

In <CIT>, an easily findable <NUM>-dimensional bar code is disclosed comprising a <NUM>-dimensional bar code; and, a <NUM>-dimensional bar code directly associated with the <NUM>-dimensional bar code at a known distance and orientation with respect to a starting location of the <NUM>-dimensional bar code whereby the <NUM>-dimensional bar code acts as a locator for the <NUM>-dimensional bar code. According to one aspect, the <NUM>-dimensional bar code is incorporated as part of the <NUM>-dimensional bar code into a hybrid bar code. The <NUM>-dimensional bar code may contain information defining decoding of the <NUM>-dimensional bar code. The <NUM>-dimensional bar code may contain information supplemental to information in the <NUM>-dimensional bar code. The <NUM>-dimensional bar code may also contain information redundant to information in said <NUM>-dimensional bar code. Further, the <NUM>-dimensional bar code contains information required for decoding of the <NUM>-dimensional bar code whereby a greater percentage of the <NUM>-dimensional bar code is available to contain data. Further provided is a bar code scanning system capable of scanning and decoding either <NUM>-dimensional bar codes or <NUM>-dimensional bar codes combined with <NUM>-dimensional bar codes.

<CIT> is reflected in the preamble of claim1 and discloses a method for creating a 2D barcode, comprising: -
embedding primary information that can be read by a 2D-barcode-reader in a primary information pattern, - embedding secondary information that is made difficult to reproduce without alteration in a visible pattern, wherein said visible pattern is embedded within said barcode in at least one area that does not contain any primary information.

Further, <CIT> discloses a two-dimensional code made up of a matrix of cells formed with dark and light squares arranged in a pattern carrying an optically readable binary-coded data, and a method of reading such a two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code features a structure in which at least two data regions are defined in a data field of the matrix. One of the data regions retains a code represented by the cells having a larger size, while the other data region retains a code represented by the cells having a smaller size.

However, even when a revolutionary code reading method such as that as described above has been developed, in order to read the information code generated according to the code reading method, it is necessary to prepare a reading device on which a dedicated program has been installed. In other words, with a reading device on which a program for a new code reading method has not been installed, there is a problem of an inability to read an information code generated according to that code reading method.

The present invention has been conceived to solve the problem described above and has an object to provide an information code and an information code reading method which allow facilitated reading even for a new code reading method.

The above object is solved by the subject-matters of claims <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. Further advantageous configurations of the invention can be drawn from the dependent claims.

The invention is described in the appended claims.

According to the disclosure of the present application, an information code (<NUM>, 1a-1j) includes: a first code region (<NUM>, 10a, 10b, 10c) which is generated by arranging a plurality of kinds of cells according to a first code reading method and in which predetermined information is recorded; and a second code region (<NUM>) which is generated by arranging a plurality of kinds of cells according to a second code reading method and in which reading method information about the first code reading method is recorded.

Note that the reference signs in the above parentheses indicate associations with specific elements in the embodiments to be described later.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, in the second code region generated by arranging the plurality of kinds of cells according to the second code reading method, the reading method information about the first code reading method is recorded. For example, when it is desired to read a code according to a new code reading method (the first code reading method) different from a code reading method according to which reading is possible by a reading device capable of reading a second code, the second code region, which is displayed together with the first code region generated according to the first code reading method, is generated in such a manner that the aforementioned reading method information is recorded according to a code recording method (the second code recording method) according to which reading is possible by the reading device. Thus, even a reading device on which a program for the first code reading method has not been installed becomes capable of reading an information code based on the first code reading method, for example, through installation thereon of a program for the first code reading method by using the aforementioned reading method information obtained by reading the second code region. Accordingly, reading according to a new code reading method (the first code reading method) can be easily performed while allowing a user to visually recognize, from the first code region, the form of an information code generated according to a code reading method according to which reading had not been possible by the current reading device.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, the second code region is located at least partially covering a part of the first code region. Thus, the relevance between the second code region and the first code region can be recognized, and reading according to the new code reading method can be more easily performed using the aforementioned reading method information obtained by reading the second code region.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure, the second code region is located at least partially covering at least a part of an error correctable region included in the first code region. Thus, even when the second code region is located covering a part of the first code region, after an information code based on the first code reading method becomes readable using the aforementioned reading method information recorded in the second code region, the predetermined information recorded in the first code region can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, the second code region is located covering only at least a part of the error correctable region included in the first code region. Thus, since the second code region does not protrude out of the first code region, the predetermined information recorded in the first code region is made obtainable and, in addition, the relevance between the second code region and the first code region can be further increased.

According to a fifth aspect of the disclosure, the second code region is located at least partially covering a region larger than an error correctable region included in the first code region. Thus, reading according to a new code reading method can be easily performed while allowing a user to visually recognize, from the first code region, the form of an information code generated according to a code reading method according to which reading had not been possible by the current reading device.

According to a sixth aspect of the disclosure, the second code region is located in the first code region; thus, when an image of the first code region is captured, an image of the second code region is also captured and, therefore, occurrences of an imaging state in which an image of the second code region is not captured while an image of only the first code region is captured can be reduced.

According to a seventh aspect of the disclosure, the first code region is formed including a first specifying pattern region, a data recording region, and a free region, and the second code region is located on a basis of the free region. Thus, the position of the second code region on a basis of the first code region can be easily grasped with reference to the free region in the first code region.

According to an eighth aspect of the disclosure, the second code region is located in the free region; thus, the position of the second code region with respect to the first code region can be easily grasped and, moreover, the free region in the first code region can be effectively used to reduce the space required for the information code including the first code region and the second code region.

According to a ninth aspect of the disclosure, a margin having a width of four cells or less is provided between the first code region and the second code region; thus, the first code region and the second code region that have been image-captured can be easily distinguished.

According to a tenth aspect of the disclosure, the margin between the first code region and the second code region has a width of a single cell; thus, the first code region and the second code region that have been image-captured can be distinguished and, moreover, the first code region and the second code region can be easily recognized as one information code without producing a feeling of strangeness, allowing improvement of the design characteristics of the information code including both the code regions.

According to an eleventh aspect of the disclosure, the second code region is located covering a corner of the first code region in the second specifying pattern region located at a corner of the second code region. Thus, the second specifying pattern region in the second code region is located at a corner of the first code region, and therefore the first code region and the second code region can be easily recognized as one information code without invoking a feeling of strangeness, allowing improvement of the design characteristics of the information code including both the code regions.

According to a twelfth aspect of the disclosure, the second code region is formed using the same kind of cells as cells included in the first code region; thus, the first code region and the second code region can be easily recognized as one information code without invoking a feeling of strangeness, allowing improvement of the design characteristics of the information code including both the code regions.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the disclosure, the first code region and the second code region are formed including cells at least a part of which have a matching arrangement in an overlapping region between the first code region and the second code region. When the cell arrangement of the first code region and the cell arrangement of the second code region are formed as identical as possible in an overlapping region between the first code region and the second code region by taking advantage of the fact that, using a mask or the like, the cell arrangement can be changed while still recording the same information, the region available as the first code region is large, allowing an increase in the amount of information that is recorded in the first code region.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the disclosure, an outline shape of the first specifying pattern region in the first code region and an outline shape of the second specifying pattern region in the second code region are different; thus, the recognition of the position of the second code region with respect to the first code region can be facilitated while suppressing the effects on the design characteristics of the information code including both the code regions.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the disclosure, the reading method information includes an address of a website for downloading a program for obtaining the predetermined information by decoding a captured image of the first code region. Thus, the aforementioned address can be obtained by reading the second code region, and therefore the aforementioned program can be smoothly installed on the reading device that has read the second code region, allowing more facilitated reading according to a new code reading method.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the disclosure, when the reading method information is obtained by decoding the second code region that has been image-captured, a program for reading the first code region is installed on the reading device using the obtained reading method information. Thus, even a reading device on which the program for reading the first code region has not been installed becomes capable of reading an information code based on the first code reading method through installation thereon of the program for reading the first code region by using the aforementioned reading method information obtained by reading the second code region. Thus, reading according to a new code reading method (the first code reading method) can be easily performed while allowing a user to visually recognize, from the first code region, the form of an information code generated according to a code reading method according to which reading had not been possible by the current reading device.

Hereinafter, the first embodiment in which an information code according to partial aspects of the present disclosure is embodied will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, an information code <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes two code regions, namely, a code region <NUM> and a code region <NUM>, and each of the code regions <NUM> and <NUM> is configured as a cell assembly which is a plurality of information display unit cells (hereinafter referred to simply as cells) arranged according to information to be recoded. Each of the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> is generated so as to function as being even individually readable as an information code.

In particular, the code region <NUM> is generated according to a widely distributed code reading method, as described later, and is optically readable by a commonly-used reading device <NUM>. The code region <NUM> corresponds to an information code to be distributed and is generated according to a new code reading method, as described later; the reading device <NUM> on which an application program (hereinafter referred to simply as a program) corresponding to this new code reading method has not been installed cannot read a code region (information code) generated according to that reading method.

Here, an outline configuration of the reading device <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The reading device <NUM> is configured, for example, as a portable information terminal which is a mobile phone such as a smartphone having a camera function and, when a predetermined program for reading a widely distributed information code is installed thereon, functions as a code reader.

As shown in <FIG>, the reading device <NUM> includes a control unit <NUM> which deals with control relating, for example, to the process of reading an information code that has been image-captured on the basis of a pixel signal from an imaging unit <NUM> having a camera function in addition to normal call process, communication process, etc., of a mobile phone. This control unit <NUM> is configured using a microcomputer as a main unit, includes a central processing unit (CPU), a system bus, an input/output interface, and the like, and functions as an information processing device together with a storage unit <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> is configured using known semiconductor memories such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), and a non-volatile memory; in this storage unit <NUM>, predetermined programs, etc., for implementing, for example, the call function, the communication function, and the functions of a code reader, are stored in advance in a form executable by the control unit <NUM>.

Furthermore, the reading device <NUM> includes an operating unit <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, and a communication unit <NUM>. The operating unit <NUM> includes a plurality of keys or the like and has a function of inputting, to the control unit <NUM>, information corresponding to a key operation. The display unit <NUM> includes liquid crystals or the like and has a function of displaying, on a screen, predetermined information such as the result of reading the information code, under control of the control unit <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> has a function of performing data communication with an external device via a network such as a mobile phone network or the Internet, under control of the control unit <NUM>.

Each of the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> will be described below.

The code region <NUM> is generated according to a new code reading method (hereinafter also referred to as a new reading method) in such a manner that predetermined information is recoded by arranging a plurality of kinds of cells different in color, density, or luminance. Here, the new reading method complies with a new code standard which is a newly developed method for reading a new information code, for example; the reading device <NUM> on which a program for this new reading method has not been installed cannot read a code region (information code) generated according to the new reading method. In other words, since a new information code including the code region <NUM> is not prevalent, the commonly used reading device <NUM> cannot read the new information code. Note that the code region <NUM> may correspond to one example of "the first code region" and the new reading method corresponding to this code region <NUM> (new code reading method) may correspond to one example of "the first code reading method".

In the present embodiment, the code region illustrated in <FIG> is used as the code region <NUM> generated according to the newly developed method for reading a new information code. The code region <NUM> in <FIG> is generated according to a new code reading method disclosed, for example, in <CIT>, and includes: specifying pattern regions 11a to 11c in which specifying patterns having a predetermined shape are located; a data recording region in which data is recorded using a plurality of kinds of cells; an error correction code recording region in which an error correction code is recorded using a plurality of kinds of cells; and a free region <NUM> or the like in which the data is not recorded using the plurality of kinds of cells.

The specifying pattern regions 11a to 11c correspond to the position detection pattern of the QR code and are used for recognizing the position of the code region <NUM> from the captured image. The free region <NUM> is greater in size than a single cell and is provided at the center of the code region <NUM>; in the free region <NUM>, data can be recorded or a design can be displayed according to a method different from a method for recording into the data recording region, the error correction code recording region, etc. The error correction code recording region is used for performing known error correction on errors in the data in the data recording region using the recorded error correction code and is used in order to implement an error correction function.

Note that <FIG> shows the data recording region and the error correction code recording region as a recording region <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the information code including the code region <NUM> is also referred to as "a frame QR".

As content recorded in the code region <NUM> generated in this manner, header data is set in such a manner that information, etc., indicating that the content is a frame QR is included at the beginning portion of a data sequence, and data, etc., to be decoded follows the header data.

The code region <NUM> is generated according to a widely distributed code reading method (hereinafter also referred to as a conventional reading method) in such a manner that predetermined information is recoded by arranging a plurality of kinds of cells different in color, density, or luminance. In the present embodiment, a code region generated according to a method for reading the QR code illustrated in <FIG> is used as the code region <NUM>, and a position detection pattern, an alignment pattern, a timing pattern, or the like is provided as the specifying pattern having a predetermined shape. The aforementioned predetermined information includes reading method information (which will be described later) about the new reading method for the code region <NUM> corresponding to the information code to be distributed.

Particularly, in the present embodiment, the code region <NUM> is configured using the same kind of cells (specifically, bright-colored cells and dark-colored cells having the same size) as the cells included in the code region <NUM>, and is located at the center of the free region <NUM> in the code region <NUM> on a basis of the free region <NUM> therein. Note that the code region <NUM> may correspond to one example of "the second code region" and the conventional reading method corresponding to this code region <NUM> may correspond to one example of "the second code reading method".

Next, an example in which even the reading device <NUM> can perform reading according to the new reading method corresponding to the code region <NUM> using an information code <NUM> including the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> configured as described above will be described with reference to <FIG>.

On a business card T shown in <FIG>, the information code <NUM> including the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> described above and display information T1 such as a company name, a personal name, and a phone number are printed and displayed. The code region <NUM> printed on the business card T is generated in such a manner that the display information T is recorded according to the aforementioned new reading method. The code region <NUM> printed on the business card T is generated in such a manner that information including reading method information about the aforementioned new reading method is recorded according to the method for reading the QR code.

Here, as the aforementioned reading method information, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, an explanatory sentence S1 about the new reading method corresponding to the code region <NUM> and an address (URL information) S2 of a website for downloading a program for decoding the code region <NUM> are prepared as a decoding result in such a manner as to be displayable on the screen of the display unit <NUM>.

Next, a reading process performed when an image of the information code <NUM> is captured using the reading device <NUM> on which a program for decoding the code region <NUM> has not been installed will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in <FIG>.

First, when an image of the information code <NUM> displayed on the business card T is captured with the imaging unit <NUM> using the reading device <NUM> in which the control unit <NUM> performs the reading process (S101), the code region <NUM> is not able to be decoded, but the code region <NUM> is decoded (S103). The aforementioned reading method information is obtained through decoding of this code region <NUM>, and the explanatory sentence S1 and the address S2 such as those illustrated in <FIG> are displayed on the screen of the display unit <NUM> as the decoding result (S105).

When the address S2 is used to select downloading (Yes in S107), connection to the website for downloading is made, and then a program for decoding the code region <NUM>, which is downloaded from the website for downloading, is installed, enabling the reading device <NUM> to decode the code region <NUM> (S109). Hereinafter, the reading device which has become capable of decoding the code region <NUM> through installation thereon of a program for decoding the code region <NUM> in this manner will also be referred to as a reading device 100a. In contrast, when downloading is not selected (No in S107), the reading process ends without the aforementioned installation having been performed.

Note that the aforementioned reading method information is not limited to an embodiment in which the explanatory sentence S1 and the address S2 such as those illustrated in <FIG> are set in such a manner as to be displayable on the screen; for example, only the address S2 may be set in such a manner as to be displayable on the screen. Furthermore, the aforementioned reading method information may be the address (URL information) of an introduction website on the Internet on which the new reading method corresponding to the code region <NUM> including the explanatory sentence S1 and the address S2 is introduced. By way of such an introduction website, a larger amount of information about the new code corresponding to the code region <NUM> can be provided.

Next, a reading process performed when an image of the information code <NUM> is captured using the reading device 100a on which a program for decoding the code region <NUM> has been installed will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in <FIG>.

First, when an image of the information code <NUM> displayed on the business card T is captured with the imaging unit <NUM> using the reading device 100a in which the control unit <NUM> performs the reading process (S201), a known decoding process for decoding distributed information codes such as a barcode and a QR code is performed (S203). Next, in the determination process shown in Step S205, whether or not the aforementioned reading method information is included in the decoding result is determined. Note that whether or not the aforementioned reading method information is included in the decoding result may be determined on the basis of whether or not the aforementioned address S2 is included in the decoding result, or may be determined on the basis of whether or not both the explanatory sentence S1 and the address S2 are included in the decoding result, or may be determined on the basis of whether or not predetermined information is included in the decoding result, for example.

Here, since the code region <NUM> shown in <FIG> is decoded, when it is determined that the aforementioned reading method information is included in the decoding result (Yes in S205), a process for decoding the code region <NUM> is performed on the image captured in Step S201 described above (S207). Furthermore, this result of decoding the code region <NUM> is displayed on the screen of the display unit <NUM> (S209). In the present embodiment, the code region <NUM> is generated in such a manner that the display information T1 is recorded, and thus, as illustrated in <FIG>, the display information T1 is displayed on the screen of the display unit <NUM> as the decoding result.

Note that when an image of a distributed normal information code different from the information code <NUM> is captured, it is determined that the aforementioned reading method information is not included in the decoding result (No in S205); in this case, the decoding result based on the distributed normal information code is displayed on the screen of the display unit <NUM> (S209).

As described above, in the information code <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the reading method information about the new reading method is recoded in the code region <NUM> which is generated by arranging a plurality of kinds of cells according to the conventional reading method (second code reading method). Furthermore, the code region <NUM> generated in such a manner that the aforementioned reading method information is recoded according to the conventional reading method according to which reading is possible by the reading device <NUM> is displayed together with the code region <NUM> generated according to the new reading method.

In the method for reading the information code according to the present embodiment, when the aforementioned reading method information is obtained by decoding the code region <NUM> that has been image-captured, a program for reading the code region <NUM> is installed on the reading device <NUM> using the obtained reading method information.

Thus, even the reading device <NUM> on which a program for the new reading method has not been installed becomes capable of reading the information code based on the new reading method through installation thereon of a program for the new reading method by using the aforementioned reading method information obtained by reading the code region <NUM>. Thus, reading according to the new reading method (the first code reading method) can be easily performed while allowing a user to visually recognize, from the code region <NUM>, the form of the information code generated according to the code reading method according to which reading had not been possible by the current reading device <NUM>. Therefore, the distribution of newly developed information codes and the sale of programs (applications) for reading those information codes can be promoted.

Furthermore, since the code region <NUM> is located in the code region <NUM>, when an image of the code region <NUM> is captured, an image of the code region <NUM> is also captured; therefore, occurrences of an imaging state in which an image of the code region <NUM> is not captured while an image of only the code region <NUM> is captured can be reduced.

Furthermore, the code region <NUM> is formed including the specifying pattern regions 11a to 11c, the recording region <NUM> which is the data recording region and the error correction code recording region, and the free region <NUM>, and the code region <NUM> is located on a basis of the free region <NUM>. Thus, the position of the code region <NUM> on a basis of the code region <NUM> can be easily grasped with reference to the free region <NUM> in the code region <NUM>.

Particularly, since the code region <NUM> is located at the center of the free region <NUM>, the position of the code region <NUM> with respect to the code region <NUM> can be easily grasped and, moreover, the free region <NUM> in the code region <NUM> can be effectively used to save space for the information code <NUM> including the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM>.

Furthermore, since the code region <NUM> is formed using the same kind of cells as the cells included in the code region <NUM>, the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> can be easily recognized as one information code without causing a feeling of strangeness, allowing improvement of the design characteristics of the information code including both the code regions <NUM> and <NUM>.

Furthermore, the reading method information includes a program for obtaining the display information T1 by decoding the captured mage of the code region <NUM>, that is, the address S2 of the website for downloading a program for decoding the code region <NUM>. Thus, the aforementioned address S2 can be obtained by reading the code region <NUM>, and therefore the aforementioned program can be smoothly installed on the reading device <NUM> that has read the code region <NUM>, allowing more facilitated reading according to the new reading method.

Next, the information code according to the present second embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an information code 1a according to the present embodiment, on a basis of the free region <NUM> in the code region <NUM>, the code region <NUM> is located at least partially covering at least a part of the error correctable region included in the code region <NUM>, and the code region <NUM> does not extend into the free region <NUM>. In particular, a margin M having a predetermined width is provided between the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM>, and this margin is set equal to the width of a single cell in the code region <NUM>. Furthermore, a predetermined design D is displayed in the free region <NUM> in the code region <NUM>. Note that in the present embodiment, the cells included in the code region <NUM> are smaller in size than the cells included in the code region <NUM>.

Even when the code region <NUM> is located covering at least a part of the error correctable region included in the code region <NUM> as just described, after the information code based on the new reading method becomes readable using the aforementioned reading method information recorded in the code region <NUM>, the predetermined information recorded in the code region <NUM> can be obtained using error correction. In particular, since the design D is displayed in the free region <NUM> in the code region <NUM>, the information code based on the new reading method becomes more attractive for users, allowing promotion of distribution of the information code based on the new reading method.

Furthermore, since the margin M between the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> has a width of a single cell in the code region <NUM>, the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> that have been image-captured can be distinguished and, moreover, the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> can be easily recognized as one information code without causing a feeling of strangeness, allowing improvement of the design characteristics of the information code 1a including both the code regions <NUM> and <NUM>.

For example, as the first variation of the present embodiment, the margin M between the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> may have a width of a single cell in the code region <NUM>, and on a basis of the free region <NUM> in the code region <NUM>, the code region <NUM> may be located in the code region <NUM> so as to at least partially cover at least a part of the error correctable region included in the code region1 <NUM>, as in an information code 1b illustrated in <FIG>. With this configuration, the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> that have been image-captured can be distinguished and, moreover, the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> can be easily recognized as one information code without causing a feeling of strangeness, allowing further improvement of the design characteristics of the information code 1b including both the code regions <NUM> and <NUM>. Furthermore, since the code region <NUM> is located in the code region <NUM>, when an image of the code region <NUM> is captured, an image of the code region <NUM> is also captured; therefore, occurrences of an imaging state in which an image of the code region <NUM> is not captured while an image of only the code region <NUM> is captured can be reduced.

Note that the margin M is not limited to being set to the width of a single cell in the code region <NUM> and may be set to the width of a single cell in the code region <NUM> or, in order to make both the code regions <NUM> and <NUM> easily distinguishable while suppressing the effects on the design characteristics of the information codes 1a and 1b, may be set to the width of between one cell and four cells, inclusive, with reference to the cells included in one of both the code regions <NUM> and <NUM>.

Furthermore, as the second variation of the present embodiment, on a basis of the free region <NUM> in the code region <NUM>, the code region <NUM> may be located at least partially covering at least only a part of the error correctable region included in the code region <NUM>, as in an information code 1c illustrated in <FIG>.

With this configuration, the code region <NUM> does not protrude out of the code region <NUM>, and thus the predetermined information recorded in the code region <NUM> is made obtainable and, in addition, the relevance between the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> can be further increased.

Next, the information code according to the present third embodiment, which discloses partial aspects of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an information code 1d according to the present embodiment, on a basis of the free region <NUM> in the code region <NUM>, the code region <NUM> is located in the code region <NUM> so as to partially cover a region larger than the error correctable region included in the code region <NUM>. Furthermore, the code region <NUM> is configured using the same kind of cells (bright-colored cells and dark-colored cells having the same size) as the cells included in the code region <NUM>, and the above-described margin M having a predetermined width is provided between the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM>.

Also in this case, even the reading device <NUM> on which a program for the new reading method has not been installed becomes capable of reading the information code based on the new reading method through installation thereon of a program for the new reading method by using the aforementioned reading method information obtained by reading the code region <NUM>. Thus, reading according to the new reading method (the first code reading method) can be easily performed while allowing a user to visually recognize, from the code region <NUM>, the form of the information code generated according to the code reading method according to which reading had not been possible by the current reading device.

In particular, the code region <NUM> can be increased in size to an extent that the outline form of the information code based on the new reading method is visually recognizable; thus, the cell size can be increased to facilitate reading of the code region <NUM>, and the number of cells can be increased to increase the amount of information that is recorded in the code region <NUM>.

Note that by taking advantage of the fact that the cells included in the code region <NUM> and the cells included in the code region <NUM> are configured using the same kind of cells, the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> may be formed including cells at least a part of which have a matching arrangement in an overlapping region between the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM>. By taking advantage of the fact that, using a plurality of kinds of mask patterns or the like, the cell arrangement can be changed for the same information to be recorded, the cell arrangement of the code region <NUM> and the cell arrangement of the code region <NUM> are formed as identical as possible in an overlapping region.

Specifically, on the premise that the information to be recorded does not change, for example, the QR code in which the aforementioned reading method information is recorded is generated in a normal generation method, and then the cell arrangement is changed by changing the mask pattern so that the cell lightness and darkness become as identical as possible in the aforementioned overlapping region in the code region <NUM>. At this time, in addition to the QR code for generating the code region <NUM>, the arrangement of the cells included in the code region <NUM> may also be changed by changing the mask pattern so that the cell lightness and darkness become as identical as possible in the aforementioned overlapping region. When the code region generated by changing the cell arrangement in this manner is disposed, as the code region <NUM>, covering the aforementioned overlapping region in the code region <NUM>, the cells include in the code region <NUM> and the cells included in the code region <NUM> match each other, as if fused with each other, in said overlapping region. Thus, even with a configuration in which a wide range of the code region <NUM> is covered by the code region <NUM> as in <FIG>, reduction in a region available as the code region <NUM> can be suppressed.

Thus, compared to a configuration in which a part of the code region <NUM> is simply covered by the code region <NUM>, the region available as the code region <NUM> is larger; thus, the predetermined information recorded in the code region <NUM> can be obtained using error correction and, moreover, the amount of information that is recorded in the code region <NUM> can be increased.

Next, the information code according to the present fourth embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the code region <NUM> in an information code 1e according to the present embodiment is configured in such a manner that one specifying pattern region <NUM> is located at a corner of the code region <NUM>. Furthermore, on a basis of the free region <NUM> in the code region <NUM>, the code region <NUM> is located at least partially covering at least a part of the error correctable region included in the code region <NUM>, and covering, in the specifying pattern region <NUM>, a corner at which the specifying pattern regions 11a to 11c are not located among the four corners of the code region <NUM>. Note that the specifying pattern regions 11a to 11c may correspond to one example of "the first specifying pattern region", and the specifying pattern region <NUM> may correspond to one example of "the second specifying pattern region".

Thus, the specifying pattern region <NUM> in the code region <NUM> is located at a corner of the code region <NUM> and, therefore, from the relationship between the specifying pattern regions 11a to 11c in the code region <NUM> and the specifying pattern region <NUM> in the code region <NUM>, the code region <NUM> and the code region <NUM> can be easily recognized as one information code without causing a feeling of strangeness, allowing improvement of the design characteristics of the information code including both the code regions <NUM> and <NUM>.

Next, the information code according to the present fifth embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, an information code 1f according to the present embodiment is configured in such a manner that the form of the specifying pattern regions 11a to 11c in the code region <NUM> and the form of specifying pattern regions 21a to 21c in the code region <NUM> are different. Specifically, for example, each of the specifying pattern regions 11a to 11c is formed in the same manner as the position detection pattern of the QR code, and each of the specifying pattern regions 21a to 21c is formed of three concentric circles arranged at a predetermined ratio. Note that the specifying pattern regions 21a to 21c may correspond to one example of "the second specifying pattern region".

Since the form of the specifying pattern regions 11a to 11c in the code region <NUM> and the form of the specifying pattern regions 21a to 21c in the code region <NUM> are different as described above, the recognition of the position of the code region <NUM> with respect to the code region <NUM> can be facilitated while suppressing the effects on the design characteristics of the information code including both the code regions <NUM> and <NUM>.

Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments and may, for example, be implemented as follows.

Claim 1:
An information code (<NUM>; 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) comprising:
a first code region (<NUM>) including first position detection patterns (11a, 11b, 11c) each having a predetermined shape located at corner portions of the first code region (<NUM>) and formed by a first plurality of kinds of cells and each showing a position of the first code region (<NUM>) used for recognition of the first code region (<NUM>) from a captured image of the information code (<NUM>), a recording region (<NUM>) in which data to be recorded are arranged by the first plurality of kinds of cells, and a free region (<NUM>) from which data provided by the cells are avoided from being recorded,
wherein the first plurality of kinds of cells are i) read according to a first code reading method based on decoding the cells in the captured image, and ii) being different, between kinds thereof, color, density, or luminance from each other; and a second code region (<NUM>) in which reading method information providing the first code reading method are arranged by a second plurality of kinds of cells, the second plurality of kinds of cells include cells for forming a second position detection pattern showing a position of the second code region (<NUM>),
wherein the second plurality of kinds of cells arranged in the second code region (<NUM>) being, between kinds hereof, different in color, density or luminance, from each other, characterized in that
the second code region (<NUM>) is located partially covering on the recording region (<NUM>) of the first code region (<NUM>), a partially covered portion of the recording region (<NUM>) being a corner portion thereof (<NUM>) at which the first position detection patterns (11a, 11b, 11c) are not arranged; and
a region of margin (M) is provided between the recording region (<NUM>) of the first code region (<NUM>) and the second code region (<NUM>), the first and second kinds of cells being not provided at the region of margin (M), the region of margin (M) having a width which is equal to a width of one of either each of the first kind of cells or each of the second kinds of cells.