JPH08249409A - Digital information recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] A polygonal mesh C corresponding to a bit is virtually set on a flat recording surface 20, and an optically identifiable mark M ₁ is printed on the mesh C, When recording digital information to be recorded as a two-dimensional pattern including marks,
Provided is a high-density and simple digital information recording method capable of solving a problem caused by bleeding of a printing material without providing a space between the cells C. [Structure] The shape of the mark is set to a shape that occupies a closed region excluding a corner portion in the mesh C and is inscribed at the midpoint of each side forming the mesh C.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital information recording method for recording digital information as a two-dimensional pattern by printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, as shown in FIG. 18, a square cell C corresponding to a bit is virtually set on a recording surface 20, and digital data to be recorded in each cell C is set. Attention has been paid to a method of recording a digital information as a two-dimensional pattern as shown in FIG. 17 by providing a bright (white) or dark (black) mark according to the information. Actually, a white background is used as the recording surface 20, and only the black mark M is printed in the entire area of the mesh C.

As a printing apparatus used for this printing,
A dot matrix printer that prints with a dot matrix configuration using dots as the minimum printing unit is often used. At this time, theoretically, if one dot is associated with one mesh C, the maximum recording density can be achieved. But,
In reality, since the printing material such as ink and toner "bleeds", the size of the printed "dot" is larger than the size of the "dot" that the printer has as a mechanism.
Therefore, in order to increase the printing accuracy by sacrificing the recording density to some extent, a plurality of dots are assigned to one cell C in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

However, even if one cell C is printed by a plurality of dots of the printer, the black mark is the cell C.
When it is printed full, as shown in Fig. 19, "bleeding"
As a result, the mark M _A protrudes around the square C, and as shown in FIG. 20, there is a problem that the corner portion of the white square is crushed at a portion A surrounded by black squares on three sides.

Further, as a printing apparatus, a thermal dot matrix printer (hereinafter abbreviated as "thermal printer") which prints by heating dot by dot while moving the print head relative to the recording surface. When using, the bleeding of the dot d appears in the moving direction of the print head (usually in the lateral direction). That is, the temperature change of the print head does not necessarily occur digitally as shown in FIG. 26 (a), but as shown in FIG. 26 (c), it changes over a certain period of time. Even if a square dot d is printed as shown in FIG. 26, a dot d ₁ having a shape that is horizontally dragged is printed as shown in FIG. This tendency is more remarkable on the printing end side (right side) than on the printing start side (left side), and in an extreme case, the protrusion width of the dot d _{1 on} the printing end side may exceed the width of 1 dot.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 27, the mesh C ₁
When the black mark M _B is completely printed, the mark M _B largely protrudes to the right of the black mark M _B , and the adjacent white cells C ₂ are eroded. In this example, 4 dots in the vertical direction and 4 dots in the horizontal direction are assigned to one cell.
_Since the protruding width of _B is about 1 dot, black cells C ₁ are 4 dots vertically × 5 dots horizontally, and white cells C ₂ are 4 dots vertically × 3 horizontally.
Printed in dot size. In such a case, the white square C
The value of ₂ may be misread as black, which makes the reading process difficult.

Various attempts have been conventionally made to solve the problem caused by such "bleeding".

For example, in JP-A-1-282694 and JP-A-3-78894, a total of 4 dots (vertical 2 dots × horizontal 2 dots) are assigned to one cell, and one dot is placed between each cell. A method of providing a minute space is disclosed. This solves the problem of bleeding. However, there is a problem that the recording density is lowered due to the space for one dot.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-244293 discloses a system in which a space smaller than the size of the mesh is provided between the meshes. The size of the grid is 20 ~
In the case of about 30 μm, the problem of bleeding can be solved by setting the space to 2 to 5 μm. According to this method, it seems that the problem of the decrease in recording density can be solved. However, as the above space, for example, 5
When it is attempted to set μm, the resolution required for the printing device is as high as 5000 dpi (dots per inch). In a laser printer which is commonly used at present, even a laser printer having a relatively high resolution is only about 600 dpi at most. Therefore, it is hard to say that this method can be easily implemented.

The systems disclosed in these publications are
In each case, a space is provided between the meshes, and as a result, black marks are printed separately. Therefore, it may not be possible to adopt a reading method having an advantage.

More specifically, the present applicant first expresses the original recording information inside the information recording area 23 provided in the recording surface 20, which is separated from the outer periphery of the information recording area 23, as shown in FIG. A method of arranging the specific pattern 22 for indicating the position of the cells 21 has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-325275).
In this example, as shown in FIG. 22, the specific pattern 22 is also arranged on the outer circumference of the information recording area 23. Figure 2
As shown in FIG. 3, the specific pattern 22 is a first annular shape including a central portion 41 including one black-colored mesh and eight white-colored circular cells surrounding the central portion 41. Part 4
2 and 1 with black surrounding it
It is composed of a second annular portion 43 composed of six cells. As a whole, it is a square block including 5 rows × 5 columns and 25 cells in total.

The specific pattern 22 is relatively easy to find even if it is arranged so as to be buried inside the information recording area 23, and the number of cells forming the specific pattern 22 is two.
Even when the same pattern appears in the vicinity of the specific pattern 22, which is relatively small as the fifth cell, it appears only at a relatively distant position (a position shifted by four cells vertically or horizontally) (FIG. 24).
Since the white cells and the black cells are arranged in a well-balanced manner, they are not easily affected by dirt and bleeding. At the time of reading, after recognizing the central portion 41 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. It has an advantage that it can be easily found by making a round along the inner circumference of the region considered to be the two annular portions 43, for example, by the left method (a method of tracing the wall of the maze while putting the left hand on the wall).

Here, in the case of adopting a recording system in which a space is provided between each mesh, as shown in FIG. 10A, for example, a space is provided between the black marks of the second annular portion 43 of the specific pattern 22. Therefore, the reading method having an advantage (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-325275) cannot be implemented. As described above, in each of the methods disclosed in the above-mentioned publications, a space is provided between the cells, so that not only the recording density is lowered but also a reading method having an advantage cannot be adopted. Also causes.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to virtually set polygonal meshes corresponding to bits on a flat recording surface, print an optically identifiable mark on each of the meshes, and record the marks. When recording digital information to be recorded as a two-dimensional pattern including the above-mentioned mark, a high density and simple digital information recording method capable of solving the problem caused by the bleeding of the printing material without providing a space between the cells To provide.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, a digital information recording method according to a first aspect of the present invention is arranged such that a polygonal mesh corresponding to a bit is virtually formed on a flat recording surface. A digital information recording method, in which an optically identifiable mark is printed on the grid and the digital information to be recorded is recorded as a two-dimensional pattern including the mark. It is characterized in that it is set to a first shape that occupies a closed region excluding a corner portion in the cell and inscribes at the midpoint of each side forming the cell.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital information recording method according to the first aspect, wherein the arrangement of the meshes is such that three or more meshes have a corner portion at a boundary point. Are arranged adjacent to each other in a periodical arrangement, and the digital information to be recorded is two-dimensionally arranged in the cells, and then, for each of the boundary points, all the cells surrounding the boundary points are printed with the mark. If all the cells surrounding the boundary point are cells that should print the mark, determine the shape of the mark to be printed on the cell surrounding the boundary point. The second shape expanded from the first shape so as to occupy the corner portion on the boundary point side
It is characterized by changing to the shape of.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital information recording method in which a polygonal mesh corresponding to a bit is virtually set on a flat recording surface, and the meshes are optically identified. A digital information recording method for printing possible marks to record digital information to be recorded as a two-dimensional pattern including the marks, wherein the arrangement of the cells is 3
The two or more cells are arranged in a periodical manner with their corners abutting each other at one boundary point, and the shape of the mark is set to a polygon corresponding to the cell, and the digital information to be recorded is recorded in the cell. After arranging the marks two-dimensionally, for each of the boundary points, it is judged whether or not two or more cells out of the cells in contact with the boundary points are the cells for printing the mark, and When two or more of the grids that contact the boundary point are the grids on which the mark should be printed, the shape of the mark that is printed on the grid that contacts the boundary point is changed from the polygon that matches the grid. It is characterized in that the corner of the polygon on the side of the boundary is changed to a third shape which is cut out.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital information recording method in which polygonal meshes corresponding to bits are arranged virtually on a flat recording surface and are aligned without gaps, and the meshes are optically identified. A digital information recording method for printing possible marks to record digital information to be recorded as a two-dimensional pattern including the marks, wherein the arrangement of the grids is such that each grid has a side in at least one direction. The marks are arranged in contact with each other, and the shape of the marks is set to a fourth shape that occupies a closed region in the above-mentioned mesh except a portion near a side on one side with respect to the one direction. Regarding the above, the mark is sequentially printed from a side opposite to the one side in the one direction toward the one side.

[0019]

According to the digital information recording method of the present invention, since the shape of the mark to be printed on the grid occupies the closed area excluding the corner portion within the grid, the grid on which the mark is not printed is formed. It is possible to eliminate the problem that the corner portion (hereinafter referred to as “white square”) is crushed by the mark printing material. That is, it is assumed that the corners of the white cells are surrounded by the cells printed with the mark (hereinafter referred to as "black cells"). In this state, even if the mark printing material is slightly bleeding, the mark printing material remains within the black grid because the corners of the mark are substantially "missing" within the black grid. It does not extend to the area of the grid. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the corners of the white cells are crushed by the mark printing material.

Moreover, in this digital information recording method,
Since the cells are arranged on a flat recording surface with no gaps, unlike the conventional method in which a space is provided between the cells, the recording density is not reduced and high-density recording can be easily performed. It becomes possible to do. Further, since the shape of the mark is inscribed in at least the midpoint of each side forming the mesh, the mark can occupy most of the area of the grid, and the area of each grid is effective. Used for. Therefore, reading errors are less likely to occur. Rather, by setting the size of the cells small, it is possible to record at a higher density. Further, when the black cells are arranged side by side, the marks are inscribed at the midpoint of each side in each cell, and as a result, the marks are continuously printed without being separated from each other. Therefore, a reading method with advantages as previously proposed by the applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-325275).
Can be adopted.

In the digital information recording method of the second aspect, the arrangement of the cells is a periodical arrangement in which three or more cells are adjacent to each other with their corners abutting each other at one boundary point. Then, after arranging the digital information to be recorded two-dimensionally in the grid, whether or not all the grids surrounding the boundary point are the grids on which the mark should be printed. When all the squares surrounding the boundary point are the squares on which the mark should be printed, the shape of the mark printed on the square surrounding the boundary point is changed from the first shape to the boundary. The second shape is expanded so as to occupy the corner portion on the point side. Therefore, even if all the cells surrounding the boundary point are black cells, it is possible to prevent a state in which a gap is left between the marks surrounding the boundary point.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital information recording method, the arrangement of the cells is a periodical arrangement in which three or more cells are adjacent to each other with their corners abutting each other at one boundary point. Set it to a polygon that matches the above mesh.
Then, after the digital information to be recorded is two-dimensionally arranged in the cells, at each of the boundary points, two or more cells out of the cells in contact with the boundary points should be printed with the mark. If two or more of the grids that contact the boundary point are the grids on which the mark should be printed, the shape of the mark that is printed on the grid that contacts the boundary point Is changed to a third shape in which a corner portion on the boundary point side of the polygon is cut out from a polygon that coincides with the mesh. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the corners of the white cells in contact with the boundary points are crushed by the mark printing material. That is, even if the printing material of the mark is slightly bleeding, since the corner portion of the mark is cut out in the black grid that touches the boundary point, the printing material of the mark remains in the black grid and It does not extend to the area of the grid. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the corners of the white cells are crushed by the mark printing material.

Moreover, in this digital information recording method,
Similar to the first aspect, since the cells are arranged on the flat recording surface without a plurality of gaps, unlike the conventional method in which a space is provided between the cells, the recording density is not deteriorated. It is possible to easily perform high-density recording. Furthermore, since the shape of the mark is a shape in which the corner portion of the polygon that matches the mesh is cut out, the mark can occupy most of the area of the grid, and the area of each grid is effective. Used for. Therefore, reading errors are less likely to occur. Rather, by setting the size of the cells small, it is possible to record at a higher density. Further, when the black cells are arranged side by side, the marks are inscribed at the midpoint of each side in each cell, and as a result, the marks are continuously printed without being separated from each other. Therefore, the reading method with advantages as previously proposed by the applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-
No. 325275) can be adopted.

Further, in the digital information recording method of the fourth aspect, the arrangement of the cells is such that the cells are aligned with their sides in contact with each other in at least one direction.
The fourth shape is set in the mesh so as to occupy a closed region excluding a side vicinity portion on one side with respect to the one direction. Then, with respect to the cells arranged in the one direction, the marks are sequentially printed from the side opposite to the one side (print start side) in the one direction to the one side (print end side). Therefore, even if dot bleeding appears on the printing end side with respect to the print head moving direction, as in the case of printing using a thermal printer, thanks to the gap in the vicinity of the one side of the black square. , Mark printing material can stay within the black squares. Even if the printing material of the mark extends to the area of the white cells adjacent to the black cells, the width of the protrusion is reduced. As a result, the reading process is facilitated and reading errors are reduced.

[0025]

EXAMPLES The digital information recording method of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows that the digital information recording method of one embodiment is applied to record digital information to be recorded on a white recording surface 20 as a two-dimensional pattern including a mark M ₁ . An example is shown.

In this recording method, square cells C corresponding to the bits and arranged in a matrix are virtually set on the recording surface 20. No space is provided between the cells C, and the cells C are arranged with their sides in contact with each other in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction. As shown in FIG. 1, in this example, the shape of the mark is set to a _first shape M _{1 in} which the four corners of a square having the same size as the above-mentioned grid C are rounded into ¼ arcs. The vicinity of the midpoint of each side of the mark M ₁ is in a state of being coincident with each side of the square of the grid C. In addition,
Although the area occupied by the mark M ₁ is actually printed in black, it is shown by hatching for convenience.

In this way, the marks M to be printed on the cells C are
_Since the shape of ₁ is made by rounding each of the four corners of a square having the same dimensions as the square C into a 1/4 arc shape, the corner portion A1 of the white square (in particular, C ₀ ) is a mark printing material. It is possible to prevent the problem of being crushed by. That is, the corner portion A1 of the white cells C ₀ is surrounded by the black cells C on three sides. Here, even if the printing material of the mark is slightly bleeding, the mark M in the black square C
_Since the corner portion of ₁ is substantially “missing”, the printing material of the mark stays in the black cells C and does not reach the area of the white cells C ₀ .

In addition, in this example, since the cells C are arranged on the flat recording surface 20 without a plurality of gaps, the recording density is reduced unlike the conventional method in which a space is provided between the cells C. It is possible to easily perform high-density recording without inviting. Further, since the vicinity of the midpoint of each side of the mark M ₁ coincides with each side of the square of the grid C, the mark M1 can occupy most of the area of the grid C and each grid The area of the eye C can be effectively used. Therefore, reading errors are less likely to occur. Rather, by setting the size of the mesh C to be small, it is possible to perform higher density recording. When the black squares C are lined up, the marks M ₁ are continuously printed without being separated from each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the specific pattern 22 as previously proposed by the applicant is provided, the second annular portion 43 is continuously printed in an annular shape. Therefore, the reading method having the advantages previously proposed by the applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-
No. 325275) can be adopted. That is,
When reading, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 25, after recognizing the central portion 41, along the inner circumference of the region considered to be the second annular portion 43, for example, the left method (while the left hand is attached to the wall, the wall of the maze is It is possible to easily recognize the specific pattern 22 by making a round by the method of tracing.

The shape of the mark is not limited to the shape of the mark M ₁ , but it occupies a closed region in the cell C excluding the corner portion and is located at the midpoint of each side forming the cell C. Anything that touches you will do. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the shape of the mark may be a circle M ₂ inscribed in each cell C. Also in this case, just as in the example of FIG. 1, it is possible to eliminate the trouble caused by the bleeding of the printing material without providing a space between the cells C, and to easily record the digital information to be recorded at high density. It has the effect of being able to. Depending on the printing apparatus, it may be easier to print with a circular shape like the mark M _{2 in} FIG. 2 than with a rounded corner portion like the mark M ₁ in FIG.

Further, as long as the mark can be in contact with the adjacent mark, the mark does not need to be inscribed at the midpoint, but is in contact with the side of the grid at a place other than the midpoint. Good.

Further, in order to prevent the problem that the corner portion A ₁ of the white cells C ₀ is crushed by the printing material of the marks M ₁ , it is not necessary that all the marks printed on the black cells C have the same shape. .

For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the recording surface 2
The square cells C, which correspond to the bits and are arranged in a matrix (three in the vertical direction and three in the horizontal direction), are virtually set to 0. Here, when the digital information to be recorded is arranged two-dimensionally in each cell C,
As shown in FIG. 3C, a gap A ₂ may occur between the marks M ₁ to be printed. If such a gap A ₂ remains, the sampling point for the image data shifts during reading, and a reading error occurs when the image bits of this gap A ₂ are sampled.

In such a case, for each boundary point where the mesh C abuts the corner portion and adjoins, it is determined whether or not all the meshes C surrounding the boundary point are the meshes on which the mark M ₁ should be printed. to decide. Then, when all of the cells C surrounding the boundary point are cells for printing the mark M ₁ , FIG.
As shown in, the shape of the mark to be printed on the mesh C surrounding the boundary point is changed from the shape of the mark M ₁ to the second shape M ₁ # expanded to occupy the corner portion on the boundary point side. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent a state in which the gap A ₂ remains between the marks M ₁ # surrounding the boundary points even though all the cells C surrounding the boundary points are black cells.

In FIG. 4, a regular hexagonal mesh C ₁ is virtually set on the recording surface 20 so as to correspond to the bits and are arranged without a gap.
An example is shown in which the shape of the mark is a circle M ₃ inscribed in each cell C ₁ . Even when the digital information is recorded in such a mode, the same effects as those of the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be obtained.

In this case, consider the case of recording two characters "Kanji" as an example of the information to be recorded. As shown in FIG. 9, the JIS code (hexadecimal number) corresponding to these two characters is represented by "3441" and "3b7a".
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, in the recording surface 20, 4 rows × 8
An information recording area 10 consisting of a total of 32 cells C ₁ is set in a row. Each row of the information recording area 10 is composed of four cells C ₁ which are alternately arranged by ½ pitch and are arranged in a zigzag pattern in the vertical direction. One code is made to correspond to this one row, and the cells C _{1 of} each row are made to correspond respectively to the positions of 8, 4, 2, ₁ from the top. If the white cells are 0 and the black cells are 1, "kanji" are represented by a pattern as shown in FIG. 8 in this recording method.

In FIG. 5, rectangular cells C ₂ are virtually set on the recording surface 20 so as to correspond to the bits and are arranged without a gap. Then, in FIG. 5, the three marks shown on the left side have the shape of the mark as an ellipse M ₄ inscribed in each of the cells C ₂ . On the other hand, the three marks shown on the right side are set to a shape M _{5 in} which the four corners of a rectangle having the same dimensions as the grid C ₄ are rounded into ¼ arcs. Even when the digital information is recorded in such a mode, the same effects as those of the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be obtained.

FIG. 6 shows the recording surface 20 as in the example of FIG.
In the example, square cells C corresponding to the bits and arranged in a matrix are virtually set, and the shape of the mark is set to circles M ₆ and M ₇ inscribed in each cell C. However, the mark M ₆ ,
The amount of stored information is increased by setting M ₇ to a different color and setting the value of each cell C to a multivalue. Even when the digital information is recorded in such a mode, the same effects as those of the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3D shows a two-dimensional pattern including marks M and M # of digital information to be recorded on a white recording surface 20 by applying another digital information recording method. The example recorded as is shown.

In this recording method, as shown in FIG. 3A, square cells C arranged in a matrix (three vertically by three horizontally) are virtually set on the recording surface 20. No space is provided between the cells C, and the cells C are arranged with their sides in contact with each other in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3B, the shape of the mark is set to a square M which coincides with the square C. When the digital information to be recorded is two-dimensionally arranged in each of the cells C, the corner portion A ₁ of the white cell C ₀ is surrounded by the black cells C on three sides, as shown in FIG. 3B. Suppose that it became a thing.

In such a case, at each boundary point where the cells C are adjacent to each other by abutting the corners, two or more cells C out of the cells C which are in contact with the boundary point should print the mark M. Or not. When two or more squares C are the squares on which the mark M is to be printed, the shape of the mark to be printed on the square C that is in contact with the boundary point is cut out from the square M to the corner portion on the boundary point side. The changed third shape M # is used.

As a result, the white cells C contacting the boundary point
It is possible to eliminate the problem that the corner portion A1 of 0 is crushed by the mark printing material. That is, even if the printing material of the mark is slightly blurred, the corner portion of the mark M # is cut out in the black square C which is in contact with the boundary point, so that the printing material of the mark remains in the black square C. , The area of white cells C0 does not reach.

Moreover, in this example, as in the first embodiment, since the cells C are arranged on the flat recording surface 20 without a plurality of gaps, a conventional method in which a space is provided between the cells C is used. Unlike, unlike the decrease in recording density,
It is possible to easily perform high-density recording. further,
Since the shape of the mark M is square and the shape of the mark M # is substantially square, the marks M and M # can occupy all or most of the area of the grid, and the area of each grid C is It can be used effectively. Therefore, reading errors are less likely to occur. Rather, by setting the size of the mesh C to be small, it is possible to perform higher density recording. Further, when the black squares C are lined up, the marks are continuously printed without being separated from each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the specific pattern 22 as previously proposed by the applicant is provided, the second annular portion 43 is continuously printed in an annular shape. Therefore, the reading method (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-325275) having the advantages previously proposed by the present applicant can be adopted. That is, at the time of reading, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 25, after recognizing the central portion 41, along the inner circumference of the region supposed to be the second annular portion 43, for example, the left method (the left hand on the wall is attached to the maze). It is possible to easily recognize the specific pattern 22 by making a round by the method of tracing the wall of FIG.

It should be noted that whether or not to change the shape of the mark into a shape in which the corner portion is cut out is determined at each boundary point by the corner portion of the mesh where the mark is to be printed continuously surrounding the boundary point. When the angle is more than 180 ° and less than 360 °, it may be “changed”.

(Third Embodiment) Next, the digital information recording method of the present invention will be specifically described from the viewpoint of the operation of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic structure of a digital information recording apparatus for carrying out each recording method. This device includes an input device 82, an information recording device 81, and a printing device 8.
Equipped with 3.

The input device 82 is composed of, for example, a keyboard and a database, and can read various data. The information recording device 81 includes an input unit 84, a data conversion unit 85, an output unit 86, and a data conversion (coding) algorithm 87. The input unit 84 is
Receives data from the input device 82 as input information,
The data is transferred to the data conversion unit 85. The data conversion unit 85 converts the input information received from the input unit 84 into a two-dimensional pattern based on the data conversion (coding) algorithm 87, and passes it as output information to the output unit 86.

The output unit 86 outputs the output information received from the data conversion unit 85 to the printing device 83. Note that generally, the output information passed to the printing device 83 is a bit image. The printing device 83 is configured by, for example, a dot printer, a laser printer, or the like according to the required printing accuracy.

This information recording apparatus can record various data to be recorded on the recording surface 20 of the record carrier according to the flow shown in the schematic FIG.

(1) First, the input device 82 reads various data (S1), and passes the read data to the input section 84 of the information recording device 81.

In this example, it is assumed that the digital data to be recorded is a 9-bit value "110111001".

(2) In the information recording device 81, the input section 84
The data conversion unit 85, which receives the data via the, creates a two-dimensional pattern based on the data conversion (coding) algorithm 87.

More specifically, first, the input one-dimensional digital data is rearranged two-dimensionally (S2).

In this example, as shown in FIG. 14, square cells C arranged in a matrix (three vertically × three horizontally) are virtually set on the recording surface 20. The one-dimensional digital array "1
"1111001" is rearranged two-dimensionally according to the arrangement of the mesh C in FIG. As a result, the first line is "11
A two-dimensional array having three rows and three columns, "0", the second row is "111", and the third row is "001" is obtained.

Next, the mesh C to be printed is determined, that is, the mesh C corresponding to the binary information "1" is selected (S).
3).

For each cell C, a set of the number of rows i and the number of columns j (i,
j), in this example, (1,
1), (1, 2), (2, 1), (2, 2), (2
The cells C of 3) and (3, 3) are selected as the cells for printing the mark.

Next, the shape of the mark to be printed on each cell C is set (S4).

In this example, the printer 83 is 600d.
It is assumed that a dot matrix printer having pi performance is used. When recording square cells C at a density such that 100 cells are arranged in each of the vertical and horizontal directions, one cell C to be recorded is as shown in FIG.
This corresponds to 6 dots vertically × 6 dots horizontally, that is, a total of 36 dots d.

In this example, three dots (particularly designated as d ₀ ) at each corner are omitted from the square shape (36 dots d) that matches the shape of the grid C in this example. Set to the first shape M ₈ . The three missing dots d ₀ are a dot that touches the apex of the grid C and two dots that touch the top, bottom, left, and right sides thereof.

Thereafter, the output information is passed to the output unit 86.

(3) Then, the printing device 83 prints the recording information passed from the output unit 86 of the information recording device 81 on the recording surface 20 (S5).

In this example, the two-dimensional pattern shown in FIG. 14 is printed on the recording surface 20. When a black dot is expressed as x and a white dot is expressed as o, for example, the first line (first line in dot units) of the print image is (ooxxooooxxxoooooooo
oo).

As described above, according to this digital information recording apparatus, digital information can be recorded on the recording surface 20 of the record carrier.

In step S4, for each boundary point P (shown in FIG. 14) in which the mesh C abuts the corners, all of the meshes C surrounding the boundary point P mark the mark M ₈ . When it is determined whether or not it is a grid to be printed, and all of the grids C surrounding the boundary point P are grids to print the mark M ₈ , printing is performed on the grid C surrounding the boundary point P. The shape of the mark to be formed may be changed from the shape of the mark M ₈ to a second shape (not shown) expanded so as to occupy the corner portion on the boundary point P side. In this case, even if all the cells C surrounding the boundary point P are black cells, a state in which the gap A ₃ remains between the marks M ₈ surrounding the boundary point P is prevented. be able to.

In step S4, the shape of the mark is
First, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), a square M that matches the size of the mesh C is set, and at each boundary point, two or more meshes C among the meshes C contacting the boundary point are marked. The shape of the mark to be printed on the mesh C that is in contact with the boundary point when it is judged whether or not M is the grid to be printed and two or more grids C are the grids to be printed with the mark M May be changed to a third shape M # in which the corner portion on the boundary point side is cut out from the square M as shown in FIG. 3 (d). In this case, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the corner portion A1 of the white cells C ₀ contacting the boundary point is crushed by the printing material of the mark.

The print image does not have to be created for all digital data in advance, and may be processed for each row of the matrix of cells C on the recording surface 20.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, an example of a digital information recording method assuming a case where a thermal printer is used will be described.

In this example, the printer 83 is 600d.
A thermal printer having a pi performance is used.
When the square cells C are recorded at a density such that 100 cells are arranged in each of the vertical and horizontal directions, as shown in FIG. 15, one recorded cell C is 6 dots vertically by the printer. It corresponds to horizontal 6 dots, that is, a total of 36 dots d. However, it is assumed that the dot bleeding appears in the moving direction of the print head (on the side where the printing is finished) by about 1 dot width.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 16, in the same manner as in the third embodiment, the recording surface 20 is arranged in a matrix (three vertical columns × three horizontal columns).
The square-shaped cells C arranged in parallel are virtually set.

The shape of the mark is the fourth shape, and in the cells C, a row of one dot along the right side is excluded (a dot belonging to this row is particularly represented by d ₀ ). Dot x
Set it to a rectangle M _{9 of} 5 dots wide.

If the same digital data as in the third embodiment is arranged two-dimensionally and the mark M ₉ is printed from the left side to the right side for each row, the print image shown in FIG. 16 can be obtained. That is, a gap A ₄ having a one-dot width is formed between the adjacent cells C in the horizontal direction. Therefore, on the right side of the print head in the horizontal direction (printing end side)
Even if the bleeding of the dot d appears, the printing material for the mark can stay in the black squares because of the gap A ₄ . Even if the printing material of the mark extends to the area of the white cells adjacent to the black cells, the width of the protrusion is reduced. As a result, the reading process is facilitated and reading errors can be reduced.

However, the specific pattern 22 shown in FIG. 23 is printed by this recording method, and the reading method having the advantages previously proposed by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-325275).
When the specific pattern 22 is to be recognized by the method, care must be taken so that the marks M ₉ are continuous without a gap. Therefore, in such a case, the mark shape M ₉ should be adopted only when the protrusion of dots having a width of 1 dot or more occurs in the actual thermal printer.

[0074]

As is clear from the above, according to the digital information recording method of the first aspect, the shape of the mark to be printed in the grid occupies the closed area excluding the corner portion in the grid. It is possible to eliminate the problem that the corners of the square cells where the mark is not printed are crushed by the printing material of the mark.

Moreover, since the cells are arranged on the flat recording surface without a plurality of gaps, unlike the conventional method in which a space is provided between the cells, the recording density is not lowered, and the operation is simple. High-density recording can be performed. Furthermore, since the shape of the mark is inscribed in at least the midpoint of each side that constitutes the mesh, the mark can occupy most of the area of the mesh, and the area of each mesh is effective. Can be used for Therefore, reading error can be prevented. Rather, by setting the size of the cells small, it is possible to perform higher density recording. Further, when the black cells are arranged side by side, the marks are inscribed at the midpoint of each side in each cell, and as a result, the marks are continuously printed without being separated from each other. Therefore, it is possible to employ the reading method (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 6-325275) which has advantages as previously proposed by the present applicant.

In the digital information recording method of the second aspect, the arrangement of the cells is a periodical arrangement in which three or more cells are adjacent to each other with their corners abutting each other at one boundary point. Then, after arranging the digital information to be recorded two-dimensionally in the grid, whether or not all the grids surrounding the boundary point are the grids on which the mark should be printed. When all the squares surrounding the boundary point are the squares on which the mark should be printed, the shape of the mark printed on the square surrounding the boundary point is changed from the first shape to the boundary. The second shape is expanded so as to occupy the corner portion on the point side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a state in which a gap remains between the marks surrounding the boundary point even though all the cells surrounding the boundary point are black cells.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital information recording method, the arrangement of the cells is a periodical arrangement in which three or more cells are adjacent to each other with their corners abutting each other at one boundary point. Set it to a polygon that matches the above mesh.
Then, after the digital information to be recorded is two-dimensionally arranged in the cells, at each of the boundary points, two or more cells out of the cells in contact with the boundary points should be printed with the mark. If two or more of the grids that contact the boundary point are the grids on which the mark should be printed, the shape of the mark that is printed on the grid that contacts the boundary point Is changed to a third shape in which a corner portion on the boundary point side of the polygon is cut out from a polygon that coincides with the mesh. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the corners of the white cells in contact with the boundary points are crushed by the mark printing material.

Moreover, as in the first aspect, since the cells are arranged on the flat recording surface without a plurality of gaps, the recording density is reduced unlike the conventional method in which a space is provided between the cells. It is possible to easily perform high-density recording without inviting. Furthermore, since the shape of the mark is a shape in which a corner portion of a polygon that matches the grid is cut out, the mark can occupy most of the area of the grid, and the area of each grid is effective. Can be used for Therefore, reading error can be prevented. Rather, by setting the size of the cells small, it is possible to record at a higher density. Further, when the black cells are arranged side by side, the marks are inscribed at the midpoint of each side in each cell, and as a result, the marks are continuously printed without being separated from each other.
Therefore, it is possible to employ the reading method (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 6-325275) which has advantages as previously proposed by the present applicant.

Further, in the digital information recording method of the fourth aspect, the arrangement of the cells is such that the cells are aligned with their sides in contact in at least one direction, and the shape of the mark is
The fourth shape is set in the mesh so as to occupy a closed region excluding a side vicinity portion on one side with respect to the one direction. Then, with respect to the cells arranged in the one direction, the marks are sequentially printed from the side opposite to the one side (print start side) in the one direction to the one side (print end side). Therefore, even if dot bleeding appears on the printing end side with respect to the print head moving direction, as in the case of printing using a thermal printer, thanks to the gap in the vicinity of the one side of the black square. , Mark printing material can stay within the black squares. Even if the printing material of the mark extends to the area of the white cells adjacent to the black cells, the width of the protrusion is reduced. As a result, the reading process can be easily performed and reading errors can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which digital information is recorded on a recording surface by applying a digital information recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which the mark of FIG. 1 is modified.

3A shows a square mesh set on the recording surface, FIG. 3B shows an example of recording using a square mark that matches the square, and FIG. 3C shows recording using the mark of FIG. Example, (d) is the same figure
Example of changing some marks in (b) to notches, (e)
[Fig. 6] is a view showing an example in which a part of the marks in Fig. 6 (c) is changed to one which is expanded to the corner side.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which regular hexagonal cells are set on a recording surface and circular marks are adopted.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which a rectangular mesh is set on the recording surface, and an elliptic mark and a mark in which a rectangular corner portion corresponding to the mesh is rounded are adopted.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which square cells are set on a recording surface and circular marks having different colors are adopted.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an information recording area formed by the regular hexagonal cells in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which two characters “Kanji” are recorded in the information recording area of FIG. 7 by the recording method of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a JIS in which the pattern of FIG. 8 represents “Kanji”
It is a figure which shows what corresponds with a code.

FIG. 10 (a) shows an example of recording a specific pattern previously proposed by the present applicant with a space provided between the cells, and FIG. 10 (b) shows a digital information recording method according to an embodiment of the specific pattern. It is a figure which shows the example which applied and recorded.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital information recording apparatus for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic process flow of a digital information recording method of an example.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the shape of a mark is set in dot units of a printer.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a recording example in which square cells are set on the recording surface and the marks of FIG. 13 are adopted.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example in which the shape of the mark is set in dot units of the printer.

16 is a diagram showing a recording example in which square cells are set on the recording surface and the marks in FIG. 16 are adopted.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example in which digital information is recorded on a recording surface by applying a conventional recording method.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing square cells set in a matrix on a recording surface.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing “bleeding” when a mark is printed on a square mesh C in full space.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a portion where bleeding is particularly likely to occur when the conventional recording method as shown in FIG. 17 is applied.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of recording by the recording method previously proposed by the applicant.

22 is a diagram showing an arrangement of specific patterns in the recording example of FIG.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the configuration of the specific pattern in detail.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a state where the same pattern appears in the vicinity of the specific pattern.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a method of recognizing the specific pattern.

26A is an ideal temperature change of the print head of the thermal printer, FIG. 26B is a realistic temperature change of the print head, and FIG. 26C is the temperature change of FIG. FIG. 3D is a diagram showing dots printed by the temperature change of FIG.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a defect caused by “blurring” of dots when printing is performed using a thermal printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

C square cells C ₁ regular hexagonal cells C ₂ rectangular cells M, M #, M ₁ , M ₁ #, M ₂ , M ₃ , M ₄ , M ₅ , M ₆ ,
M ₇ , M ₈ , M ₉ mark 20 recording surface 22 specific pattern 23 information recording area

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A digital image to be recorded by virtually setting polygonal meshes corresponding to bits and arranged without gaps on a plane recording surface, and printing optically identifiable marks on the meshes. A digital information recording method for recording information as a two-dimensional pattern including the mark, wherein the shape of the mark occupies a closed area excluding a corner portion in the grid and each side of the grid is formed. A digital information recording method, wherein the first shape is inscribed at a midpoint. 2. The digital information recording method according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement of the cells is a periodical arrangement in which three or more cells are adjacent to each other with their corners abutting each other at one boundary point. After the digital information to be recorded is arranged two-dimensionally in the cells, it is judged for each of the boundary points whether or not all the cells surrounding the boundary point are the cells to print the mark. hand,
When all the meshes surrounding the boundary point are the meshes on which the mark is to be printed, the shape of the mark to be printed on the mesh surrounding the boundary point is changed from the first shape to the corner portion on the boundary point side. A digital information recording method, characterized by changing to a second shape expanded so as to occupy 3. A digital image to be recorded by virtually setting polygonal grids corresponding to bits and arranged in a plurality of spaces without gaps on a flat recording surface, and printing optically identifiable marks on the grids. A digital information recording method for recording information as a two-dimensional pattern including the mark, wherein the arrangement of the cells is a periodical arrangement in which three or more cells are adjacent to each other with their corners abutting each other at one boundary point. Then, the shape of the mark is set to a polygon that matches the grid, the digital information to be recorded is arranged two-dimensionally in the grid, and then, at each boundary point, the grid contacting the boundary point is set. It is determined whether or not two or more of the eyes are the ones on which the mark is to be printed, and two or more of the cells that touch the boundary point are the ones on which the mark is to be printed. Is printed on the grid that touches the boundary point, Digital information recording method characterized by changing the shape of the mark, the third shape obtained by cutting a corner portion of the boundary point side of the polygon from the polygon that matches the squares. 4. A digital image to be recorded by virtually setting polygonal grids corresponding to bits and arranged in a plurality without gaps on a flat recording surface, and printing optically identifiable marks on the grids. A digital information recording method for recording information as a two-dimensional pattern containing the mark, wherein the grid is arranged such that each grid is in contact with its side in at least one direction, and the shape of the mark is Within the mesh, the fourth shape is set to occupy a closed region excluding the vicinity of the side on one side with respect to the one direction, and for the cells lined up in the one direction, the mark is the one with respect to the one direction. A method for recording digital information, characterized in that printing is performed in order from the side opposite to the one side to the one side.