Patent ID: 6863218

Claim:
A two-dimensional code reading apparatus for reading from an input image a two-dimensional code which is representative of various items of information by arranging in two-dimensional form data cells, each recording binary data thereon, said two-dimensional code comprising finder patterns, each having a specific first pattern, which are disposed in a plurality of predetermined positions within said two-dimensional code for identifying the position of said two-dimensional code within said input image, and an alignment pattern which is disposed in a predetermined position different from those of the finder patterns within said two-dimensional code, said alignment pattern having a second pattern which is different from the first pattern specific to said finder patterns, wherein processing for detecting the positions of said plurality of finder patterns which are disposed in the plurality of predetermined positions from said input image is conducted based upon a result of scanning of said input image in a plurality of directions; processing for detecting the position of said alignment pattern is conducted based upon the detected finder patterns; processing for determining a version of said two-dimensional code which defines the number of cells constituting said two-dimensional code is conducted based upon said detected finder patterns; processing for cutting out the data cells which define the data value of each of the data cells constituting said two-dimensional code is conducted based upon the positions of said detected finder patterns and said alignment pattern and said version which is determined by said version determining process; and processing for decoding to identify the information of said two-dimensional code is conducted in accordance with a predetermined rule from the data values of the data cells which are determined by said data cell cutting out processing.