JP2003030581A - Information providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide information using a two-dimensional code with data density which is several tens to several hundreds of times as dense as that of a conventional bar code. SOLUTION: This information providing system is provided with a reading part 11 for reading a two-dimensional code from an information medium including a two-dimensional code indicating prescribed information, a decode part 12 for decoding a two-dimensional code read by the reading part 11, and an output part 13 for outputting prescribed information acquired by decoding the two-dimension code by the decoding part 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information providing system and method in which an information provider provides a user with predetermined information. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an information terminal device to which the information providing method is applied, and more particularly to a mobile terminal and a car navigation system using the information terminal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for reading the code content from an identification code sheet for displaying predetermined information such as a product name, price, and symbol is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-53. No. 21,980. This publication discloses a "bar code" as a one-dimensional code. In this bar code, the binary code is identified by the thickness of the line and the position of the line. From the viewpoint of the limit to the data density, it was the fact that the numbers were the target of this encoding. On the other hand, for certain information including character information, the amount of data obtained by encoding is large, and it is difficult to increase the data density in one dimension, which is difficult.

From such a point of view, interest in coding using a two-dimensional code is rapidly increasing, and according to this two-dimensional coding technique, it is several tens to several hundreds as compared with the above-mentioned bar code. The data density can be doubled or more. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that enable provision of information using a two-dimensional code, and an apparatus to which this method is applied. .

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information providing system according to the present invention provides an information providing system in which an information provider provides predetermined information to a user. Reading means for reading a two-dimensional code from an information medium containing dimensionally encoded information (hereinafter referred to as "two-dimensional code"); and decoding means for decoding the two-dimensional code read by the reading means,
The output means outputs predetermined information obtained by decoding by the decoding means.

Further, it is preferable that the reading means is an image pickup device composed of a CCD. In addition to this, the object to be read may be irradiated with a laser beam or infrared light to read the reflection or scattering thereof. Further, it is preferable that the information medium is a medium formed of paper. An information providing method according to the present invention is an information providing method in which an information provider provides predetermined information to a user. Information obtained by two-dimensionally encoding the predetermined information (hereinafter, referred to as “two-dimensional code”). A reading step of reading a two-dimensional code from an information medium including
It is characterized by having a decoding step of decoding the two-dimensional code read in the reading step and an output step of outputting predetermined information obtained by decoding in the decoding step.

Further, in the reading step, it is preferable that the reading operation is performed by using an image pickup device composed of CCD.
In addition to this, the object to be read may be irradiated with a laser beam or infrared light to read the reflection or scattering thereof. Moreover, it is preferable that the information medium read in the reading step is a medium formed of paper.

The information terminal device according to the present invention is a two-dimensional information medium including information (hereinafter referred to as "two-dimensional code") in which an address for specifying a place where predetermined information is recorded is two-dimensionally encoded. Reading means for reading the dimension code,
Based on the decoding means for decoding the two-dimensional code read by the reading means, and the address obtained by decoding by the decoding means, the place where the predetermined information is recorded is accessed to take out the predetermined information. And information output means for outputting the information extracted by the information extraction means.

Further, it is preferable that the reading means is an image pickup device composed of a CCD. In addition to this, the object to be read may be irradiated with a laser beam or infrared light to read the reflection or scattering thereof. Further, it is preferable that the information medium is a medium formed of paper. Further, a driver for connecting to the information extracting means and reproducing the recording medium storing predetermined information is further arranged, and the address is an address for designating a specific place on the predetermined recording medium. Yes, the information extraction means reproduces the recording medium mounted in the driver, and based on this address,
It is preferable to take out the predetermined information recorded in a specific location of the recording medium being reproduced.

Alternatively, the information extracting means is connected,
The address is an IP address for specifying the location of the server that has stored the predetermined information, which is connected to the network system, using a network system for accessing the server that has stored the predetermined information, It is preferable that the information extracting unit accesses the server on the network system based on the address and extracts the predetermined information accumulated in the server.

A portable terminal of the present invention comprises the above information terminal device. A car navigation system of the present invention includes the information terminal device.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an information providing system and method according to the present invention, and an apparatus to which these are applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing system is an information providing system in which an information provider provides predetermined information to a user,
Information in which the predetermined information is two-dimensionally encoded (hereinafter,
A reading unit 11 that reads a two-dimensional code from an information medium including a “two-dimensional code”, a decoding unit 12 that decodes the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit 11, and a predetermined value obtained by decoding the decoding unit 12. And an output unit 13 that outputs the information.

Here, the "predetermined information" refers to information on stores, facilities, companies, etc., such as name, location, contact information (telephone number, etc.), person in charge (name of person in charge),
An overview is given. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the predetermined information is applied to a business card. As shown in FIG. 2, the business card 20 includes a company name display 21, a name display 22,
Each part of the contact display 23 is provided, and the data obtained by converting these into a two-dimensional code is displayed as a two-dimensional code.
1 is shown. This two-dimensional encoding method is ASCII
A two-dimensional dot display method based on a publicly used code such as a code or JIS code is preferable, and for example, the technique described in JP-A-64-76176 can be used.

The reading unit 11 reads the dots shown in the two-dimensional code display 31 and sends the data to the decoding unit 12. Here, in order to read accurately, it is preferable that the reading unit 11 uses an image pickup device using a CCD (charge coupled device). With CCD,
The two-dimensional code can be read accurately. When the code is read using the CCD, an electric signal is output. Other than this, the object to be read may be irradiated with a laser beam or infrared light, and the reflection or scattering thereof may be read.

The information medium read by the reading section 11 is used in business cards, magazines, newspapers, advertisements, postcards, telephone directories, restaurants, etc. in which town information such as shops, goods, televisions, and events are posted. Menu, job listings,
Examples include information magazines with information such as rental information, various brochures and catalogs such as company information and school information. For example, when such a two-dimensional code is placed on a magazine, as shown in FIG. 3, articles 41 and 42 are placed on the surface of the magazine 40, and the two-dimensional code 43 is provided so as to correspond to each of the articles. 44 may be printed or attached like a headline. Similarly, it can be printed on newspapers, advertisements, postcards, and the like. When attaching, the two-dimensional code is printed in advance and this printed matter is attached.

The decoding unit 12 decodes the data obtained by reading the code by the reading unit 11 according to the agreement at the time of encoding. A program necessary for performing this decoding is stored in the ROM 14, and the decoding unit 12 accesses the ROM 14 to access the ROM 1
The two-dimensional code is decoded while referring to the data in 4. The data obtained by decoding the two-dimensional code is sent to the output unit 13.

The output unit 13 is, for example, a display unit such as a display, a printer or the like, and visualizes and outputs the data sent from the decoding unit 12. According to such an information providing system, the code of the two-dimensional code display 31 of the business card 20 shown in FIG.
The decoding unit 12 decodes the read two-dimensional code, and the output unit 13 outputs the data obtained by the decoding process. With this, the information displayed on the business card,
For example, company name display 21, name display 22, contact information display 2
The information shown in FIG. 3 and information other than these can be displayed as necessary.

When a magazine is used as an information medium carrying a two-dimensional code, for example, when a two-dimensional code is attached to a store featured in the magazine, other information such as the name, address, and contact information of this store is added. In addition, it is possible to visualize the output section 13 by coding the contents of products and services handled in the store. In addition, when a two-dimensional code is attached to a magazine advertisement, information about the advertiser, advertisement target products, services, and the like can be encoded. Thus, by coding the information shown on every page of the magazine, for example, for each page and for each article, it becomes possible to visualize all the information contained in the magazine.

Information displayed on every page of a newspaper can be coded page by page and article by article, and can be restored like a magazine. Further, it is also possible to code data for accessing information stored in a recording medium, a database, etc., and an information terminal device for taking out predetermined information based on such data also forms the aspect of the present invention. To do.

In such an information terminal device, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, information (hereinafter, referred to as two-dimensionally coded) of an address for specifying a place where predetermined information is recorded is specified.
A reading unit 51 for reading a two-dimensional code from an information medium including a "two-dimensional code", a decoding unit 52 for decoding the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit 51, and an address obtained by decoding by the decoding unit 52. On the basis of,
It has a data processing unit 53 as an information extracting unit for accessing the place where the predetermined information is recorded and extracting the predetermined information, and an output unit 54 for outputting the information extracted by the data processing unit 53. .

Further, in the portable terminal device 50 of FIG.
The recording medium reproducing unit 56 as a driver for reproducing the recording medium in which the predetermined information is accumulated is arranged in the data processing unit 53.
Connected to. Further, the data processing unit 53 is provided with the database server 6 that is a server that stores predetermined information.
2 via a network system 61.

Like the reading unit 11 in the information providing system shown in FIG. 1, the reading unit 51 reads the two-dimensional code printed or attached to the information medium and sends the data to the decoding unit 52. Here, in order to read accurately, it is preferable that the reading unit 51 uses an image pickup device using a CCD (charge coupled device). By using a CCD, the two-dimensional code can be read accurately. If you use a CCD to read the code,
An electrical signal is output. Other than this, the object to be read may be irradiated with a laser beam or infrared light, and the reflection or scattering thereof may be read.

As the information medium read by the reading section 51, as in the case of the information providing system shown in FIG.
In addition to business cards, there are magazines, newspapers, advertisements, postcards, and the like, which store information about shops, goods, TV, events, and the like, and information media including recipe books or articles for cooking, product catalogs, and the like. Like the decoding unit 12 of FIG. 1, the decoding unit 52 decodes the data obtained by reading the code by the reading unit 51 according to the agreement at the time of encoding. The ROM 55 stores a program necessary for this decoding, and the decoding unit 52
Accesses the ROM 55 and refers to the data in the ROM 55 to perform a two-dimensional code decoding process. The data obtained by performing the decoding process on the two-dimensional code is sent to the data processing unit 53.

The data processing unit 53 processes and processes the data obtained by the decoding unit 52, that is, the data including a predetermined address which is the data for accessing the information accumulated in the recording medium, the database and the like. The obtained data is sent to the output unit 54. Data that does not include an address is sent to the output unit 54 without any processing.

The processing in the data processing unit 53 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in step S10, a step S10 for determining whether or not an address is present in the decoded data, a step S20 for determining whether or not the address is an IP (internet protocol) address, and a CD-ROM are used. A procedure including steps S210 to S230 for retrieving predetermined data and steps S110 to S130 for retrieving predetermined data by searching a database on the Internet is performed.

In step S10, the decoding unit 52
It is determined whether or not the data subjected to the decoding process in (1) includes an address for specifying the place where the predetermined information is accumulated. If the determination result is YES, step S2
When the determination result is NO, the data processing ends. In step S20, it is determined whether or not the address included in the data is an IP address. If the determination result is YES, that is, the address is an IP address, the process proceeds to step S110. If the determination result is NO, that is, the address is not the IP address, the process proceeds to step S210.

In step S110, the network (network system 61 in FIG. 4) is connected,
It proceeds to step S120. Here, the network system 61 may be the Internet, a local area net, a wide area net, or the like. Step S
At 120, a database on the network (database 62 in FIG. 4) is searched using the IP address, and the process proceeds to step S130.

In step S130, the database 62
The area in which the predetermined information is accumulated is extracted from the area specified by the IP address and downloaded to the data processing unit 53, and the data processing ends. Also, step S
At 210, the CD-ROM is reproduced (the recording medium reproducing unit 56 is operated in FIG. 4), and step S22
Go to 0.

In step S220, the address is used to search the area in which the predetermined information is accumulated from the CD-ROM being reproduced, and the process proceeds to step S230. In step S230, the predetermined information accumulated in the area searched in step S220 is loaded into the data processing unit 53,
Data processing ends. The output unit 54 is the output unit 1 of FIG.
Similar to 3, the display means, such as a display, a printer, etc., visualizes and outputs the data sent from the data processing unit 53.

Here, with respect to a specific operation, an example of operating the information terminal device using the business card shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The contact number 23 of the business card 20 includes a telephone number and FAX.
In addition to the number, the email (aaa@bb.co.jp) (E-ma
il) address and a URL (uniform resource locator) which is an IP address for accessing the home page of the company "http://www.bb.co.jp". That is, these data are also coded in the two-dimensional code display 31.

The reading unit 51 reads this two-dimensional code and obtains the information coded by the decoding unit 52, that is, the data as shown in the company name display 21, the name display 22, and the contact display 23. The data processing unit 53 identifies the URL in the contact display 23, uses this URL to connect to the network system 61, and searches the database 62 specified by the URL. When the database is accessed, the area in which predetermined information is stored in the database specified by the URL is accessed, and the data stored in this area is downloaded.

The downloaded data is visualized and output by the output unit 54. According to such an information terminal device, the two-dimensional code printed or attached to a predetermined information medium is read, and the read two-dimensional code is decoded to obtain predetermined data. When the obtained data includes a predetermined address, it is possible to access the recording medium or the database server and take out the predetermined information accumulated in the recording medium or the database server and output it.

When a magazine is used as an information medium carrying a two-dimensional code, for example, when a two-dimensional code is attached to a store featured in the magazine, other information such as the name, address, and contact information of this store is added. In addition to encoding the character information about the products and services handled in the store, if this store has a homepage on the network, also include the URL to access this homepage. The character information and the data associated with the home page can be combined and visualized on the output unit 13 in advance.

When a two-dimensional code is attached to an advertisement in a magazine, information about the advertiser, products to be advertised,
In addition to textual information such as services, if the advertiser has a homepage, the URL for accessing the homepage can also be encoded. In this way, by coding the information shown on every page of the magazine, for example, page by page, article by article, it becomes possible to visualize all the information contained in the magazine, and also code it. It is necessary to store image data that is difficult to obtain and text information that causes a huge amount of data in a predetermined database server on the network, and also code the address for specifying the storage location. Then, it becomes possible to access these data by decoding the two-dimensional code.

Information shown on every page of a newspaper can be coded page by page and article by article, and can be restored like a magazine. Furthermore, it becomes possible to construct a search system based on the content of articles. In addition, “back information” that does not appear on the surface of magazines, newspapers, etc. is stored in a predetermined recording medium or database server, and the address for specifying the storage location is also included in the two-dimensional code. If you leave it blank, you will be able to retrieve this information as well.

Further, when a two-dimensional code is attached to a manual of a device such as an electric device, an electronic device, or a vehicle which requires complicated operations, work, etc., data showing the specific operation in a moving image or a still image. A user who operates this device by storing it in a recording medium or a database server and decoding the two-dimensional code makes it easy to understand specific operations and driving methods with images by decoding the two-dimensional code. It becomes possible to understand.

In addition, even when a two-dimensional code is attached to a product catalog or the like, it is difficult to understand the characteristics of the product, for example, notes on use, voices of other users who have already purchased, even if a two-dimensional code is attached to the catalog. Information such as actual usage status is stored as characters and images in a specified recording medium and database server, and users who are considering purchasing products by looking at the product catalog can decode this two-dimensional code. , It becomes possible to retrieve information by these characters and images.

In recent years, services for distributing the contents of books on the Internet have been started. Therefore, by converting the URL for receiving this service into the book and, if necessary, identifying data and the like into a two-dimensional code, the contents of the book can be stored in any place where the information terminal device is located without carrying the book itself. You can browse. From such a viewpoint, the information terminal device is preferably a mobile terminal.

In recent years, car navigation systems have become popular. By providing the information terminal device to the car navigation system, by decoding the two-dimensional code by the information terminal device, for example, when the information described in a magazine, a newspaper or the like with the two-dimensional code is taken out, Information written in magazines, etc. can be displayed on the display of the car navigation system. Furthermore, by linking with the map function of the car navigation system, for example, the latitude / longitude itself corresponding to the address of the introduced store or the like is coded, or the information indicating the address for calculating the latitude / longitude is coded. The position of the introduced store can be shown on the map or set as the destination based on the information, and the operability of the car navigation system is improved.

In addition, the car navigation system is equipped with a CD-ROM for manuals on driving, operating, and working of the vehicle, and a vehicle manual with a two-dimensional code is used to implement the information terminal device as described above. It is possible to replay the actual image (moving image or still image) on the display of the car navigation system, and it becomes easy to understand and confirm the manual in a specific manner while in the vehicle.

From this point of view, it is desirable to apply the information terminal device to a car navigation system.

[0041]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide information using a two-dimensional code that can have a data density several tens to several hundreds of times that of a conventional barcode.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information providing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an information medium with a two-dimensional code used in the information providing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the information medium to which the two-dimensional code is attached.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a data processing unit of the information terminal device.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Reader 12 Decoding section 13 Output section 14 ROM 50 information terminal equipment 51 Reader 52 Decoding section 53 Data processing unit 54 Output section 55 ROM 56 recording medium playback unit 61 network system 62 database server

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An information providing system in which an information provider provides predetermined information to a user, wherein information obtained by two-dimensionally encoding the predetermined information (hereinafter, referred to as
A reading means for reading a two-dimensional code from an information medium containing a "two-dimensional code"), a decoding means for decoding the two-dimensional code read by the reading means, and predetermined information obtained by decoding by the decoding means An information providing system, comprising: an output unit for outputting. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is an image pickup device including a CCD. 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the information medium is a medium formed of paper. 4. An information providing method in which an information provider provides predetermined information to a user, wherein information obtained by two-dimensionally encoding the predetermined information (hereinafter, referred to as
A reading step of reading a two-dimensional code from an information medium including a "two-dimensional code"), a decoding step of decoding the two-dimensional code read in the reading step, and predetermined information obtained by decoding in the decoding step. And an output stage for outputting the information providing method. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein in the reading step, the reading operation is performed by using an image pickup device including a CCD. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the information medium read in the reading step is a paper-made medium. 7. Information in which an address for specifying a place where predetermined information is recorded is two-dimensionally coded (hereinafter,
A reading means for reading a two-dimensional code from an information medium including a "two-dimensional code"), a decoding means for decoding the two-dimensional code read by the reading means, and an address obtained by decoding by the decoding means. And information access means for accessing the place where the predetermined information is recorded to retrieve the predetermined information, and output means for outputting the information retrieved by the information retrieval means. Terminal device. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the reading unit is an image pickup device including a CCD. 9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the information medium is a medium formed of paper. 10. A driver for connecting to the information extracting means and further for reproducing a recording medium having predetermined information stored therein, wherein the address specifies a specific place on the predetermined recording medium. The information extracting means reproduces the recording medium mounted on the driver, and extracts the predetermined information recorded at a specific location of the recording medium being reproduced on the basis of this address. The device of claim 7 characterized. 11. A network system for connecting the information extracting means to access a server storing the predetermined information, wherein the address stores the predetermined information connected to the network system. The IP address for specifying the location of the server, and the information extracting means accesses the server on the network system based on the address and extracts the predetermined information accumulated in the server. The device of claim 7 characterized. 12. A mobile terminal equipped with the device according to claim 7. 13. A car navigation system comprising the device according to claim 7.