Title of Invention: CODE, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND
INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a code, an information
processing system, and an information processing device.
Background Art
[0002]
A technology for presuming an environment to which a code
such as a two-dimensional bar code has been exposed is known. In
Patent Literature (PTL) 1, described is an information code that
is formed by printing multiple diversified cells so as to arrange
these cells within a code area; the information code is
characterized in that the code area is internally provided with a
specific pattern region where a specific pattern having a
predetermined form is disposed, a data recording region where
given data is recorded by the multiple diversified cells, and an
error-correcting code recording region where an error-correcting
code is recorded by the multiple diversified cells and ink for
printing cells arranged within a predetermined error-correctable
range among the cells arranged within the code area changes in
color depending on a predetermined condition, as compared to ink
for printing the remaining cells.
Citation List
Patent Literature
3
[0003]
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2019-175033 (particularly, Claim 1)
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0004]
The code according to the technology described in Patent
Literature 1 is configured to change in color affected by ambient
temperature and its color change is easy to cognize visually.
Therefore, it can easily be perceived that a predetermined
condition of an ambient environment or the like has changed just
by looking at the information code. Nevertheless, a consumer such
as an end user could feel odd upon viewing the code that changed
in color.
[0005]
The present invention addresses providing a code that hardly
makes a user feel odd when looking at the code and allows the user
to perceive that an ambient physical quantity has changed and its
related information processing system and information processing
device.
Solution to Problem
[0006]
A code of the present invention resides is a mechanically
readable code comprising a first area comprising multiple first
unit cells and including an information region where information
was recorded and a second area comprising multiple second unit
cells including an allochroic cell that changes in color depending
on a physical quantity. The multiple first unit cells include
4
transitional color cells having any transitional color in the
process of color change of the allochroic cell. Other solutions
will be described later in Description of Embodiments.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007]
According to the present invention, it is possible to
provide a code that hardly makes a user feel odd when looking at
it and allows the user to perceive that an ambient physical
quantity has changed and its related information processing system
and device.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0008]
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a code according to an
embodiment herein.
Figure 2 is a diagram explaining color change of an
allochroic cell.
Figure 3 is a diagram explaining a transitional color.
Figure 4A is the appearance of the code before exposure to a
physical quantity change.
Figure 4B is the appearance of the code after exposure to a
physical quantity change.
Figure 5 is a diagram explaining an overview of an
information processing system according to an embodiment herein.
Figure 6 is a block diagram of the information processing
system including an information processing device.
Figure 7 is a schematic graphical diagram of a first
relationship retained in a database.
5
Figure 8 is a schematic tabular diagram of a second
relationship retained in the database.
Description of Embodiments
[0009]
The present invention will be described hereinafter. The
invention is not limited to what will be described hereinafter and
can be modified and implemented without impairing its advantageous
effects significantly. It is possible to implement the invention
by combining different embodiments. In the following description,
identical members in different embodiments are assigned identical
reference signs and their duplicated description is dispensed
with.
[0010]
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a code 30. Although the
code 30 is formed in conformity with a predefined standard (which
will be mentioned later), the code is depicted in Fig. 1 in no
conformity with the predefined standard for the sake of
simplifying the depiction. The code 30 is chromatic, particularly
colored in blue, for example, and is displayed on, e.g., a product
(not depicted) having, e.g., a white ground color. In an example
depicted, grids of dots are used to represent a blue color. For
instance, a low-density grid of dots represents light blue, a
medium-density grid of dots represents moderately dark blue, and a
high-density grid of dots represent darkest blue. A white color
within an area surrounded by broken lines is the ground color. The
code 30 can be displayed by printing with, e.g., a blue ink. Note
that the code 30 may be monochrome.
[0011]
6
The code 30 is a mechanically readable code. That is, its
image can be captured by an imaging device such as, e.g., an
optical camera, a digital camera, or an optical reader. The code
30 can be one of types including, e.g., one-dimensional barcode
and two-dimensional barcode such as a QR code (registered
trademark).
[0012]
The cord 30 is the one created according to a predefined
standard that defines at least an information region 10 where
information was recorded and a non-use region 11 that is not used
for reading information. Owing to this, an allochroic cell 21b
(which will be described later) can be disposed in the non-use
region 11 without affecting recorded information. For onedimensional barcode, the predefined standard is, e.g., ISO/IEC
15420:2000; for two-dimensional barcode (e.g., a QR code), the
predefined standard is, e.g., ISO/IEC 18004.
[0013]
The code 30 is configured including a first area 20 that is
comprised of multiple first unit cells 20a and includes the
information region 10 where information was recorded and a second
area 21 that is comprised of multiple second unit cells 21a
including the allochroic cell 21b that changes in color depending
on a physical quantity. The second area is contained in the abovementioned non-use region 11. Of those mentioned above, the first
area 20 includes the information region 10 occupying an upper part
of the code 30 and an error correction region 12 occupying a lower
part thereof and covers an area outside the second area 21
(contained in the non-use region 11) that lies in the center of
the code 30. Note that, although the second area 21 is positioned
in the center of the code 30, the second area is not necessarily
7
disposed in the center and can be disposed in a non-use region
defined according to a predefined standard.
[0014]
Both the first unit cells 20a and the second unit cells 21a
are substantially square; i.e., one first unit cell 20a and one
second unit cell 21a have a substantially square shape formed with
one or multiple printed dots. A multiple number of first unit
cells 20a and second unit cells 21a are arranged in each of
vertical and horizontal directions. In the depicted example, 11
pieces of first unit cells 20a are arranged in a vertical
direction and 11 pieces of these cells are arranged in a
horizontal direction. Three pieces of second unit cells 21a are
arranged in the vertical direction and three pieces of these cells
are arranged in the horizontal direction.
[0015]
The first area 20 may include the error correction region 12
for recovering information in the information region 10 in case of
corruption of the code 30 in addition to the information region
10. Also, the second area 21 is contained in the non-use region
11. Owing to the fact that the second area 21 is contained in the
non-use region 11, it can be ensured that color change of the
allochroic cell 21b (which will be described later), even when
occurring, will not affect information in the information region
10.
[0016]
Information recorded in the first area can be one of those
including, e.g., a URL, a serial number unique to each code 30,
etc. Besides, a physical quantity can be one of those including,
e.g., temperature, humidity, light, gas concentration, vibration,
etc.
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[0017]
The allochroic cell 21b is formed with an ink that changes
in color depending on a physical quantity. For example, the
allochroic cell 21b is colored darker if the physical quantity
increases and colored lighter if the physical quantity decreases.
In the present embodiment, the allochroic cell 21b undergoes color
change depending on an integral physical quantity that is a
product of a physical quantity further multiplied by elapsed time
in order to make the physical quantity influencing the product
quality perceptible. Color change of the allochroic cell 21b is
described with reference to Fig. 2.
[0018]
Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram explaining color change of
the allochroic cell 21b. When the physical quantity exceeds a set
physical quantity, color change begins and the color change stops
at a time when the physical quantity has become below the set
physical quantity. A deviation from the set physical quantity is
taken as a “deviating physical quantity” and a time period during
which the deviating physical quantity occurs is taken as a
“deviation time”. The larger the deviating physical quantity or
the longer the deviation time, the amount of color change of the
allochroic cell 21b will become larger. Therefore, the larger the
area of a rectangle denoting the integral physical quantity shaded
in Fig. 2 (= deviation time  deviating temperature), the amount
of color change of the allochroic cell 21b will become larger. By
using this integral physical quantity as the physical quantity, it
is possible to make the physical quantity influencing the product
quality perceptible.
[0019]
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For an ink that changes in color depending on magnitude of
temperature, for example, an inorganic thermo chromic material
consisting of a metal complex salt or an organic material such as
a leuco dye and a thermo chromic liquid crystal can be used. It is
preferable to use an ink including a leuco dye that changes in
color depending on the product of temperature and elapsed time
among those mentioned above as well as a developer and a
decolorant.
[0020]
As a leuco dye, an electron-donating compound that produces
a color by reacting with an electron-accepting developer can be
used. Such a compound that can be used is, for example, a compound
containing any of the following substances: Triphenyl methane
phthalide, Fluoran, Phenothiazine, Indrill phthalide, Leuco
auramin, Spiropyran, Rhodamine lactam, Triphenyl methane,
Triazene, Spirophthalan xanthene, Naphtholactam, Azimethie, etc.
[0021]
For a developer, an electron-accepting compound that changes
the molecular structure of a lueco dye by reacting with an
electron-donating lueco dye can be used. As a concrete example of
a developer, any of the following substances can be used: 4-
Hydroxybenzoic acid benzyl, 2, 2’-Biphenol, 1, 1-Bis (3-
cyclohexyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane, 2, 2-Bis (3-cyclohexyl-4-
hydroxyphenyl) propane, Bisphenol A, Bisphenol F, Bis (4-
hydroxyphenyl) sulfide, 1, 1-Bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane, 1,
1-Bis (4-hydroxyphenyl-3-methylphenyl) cyclohexane, , , ’-Tris
(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-ethyl-4- isopropyl benzene, etc.; besides,
Paraoxybenzoic acid ester, Phenols such as gallic acid esters,
Metal salt of carboxylic acid derivative, Salicylic acid and
Salicylic acid metal salt, Sulfonic acids, Sulfonates, Phosphoric
10
acids, Phosphate metal salts, Acidic phosphate esters, Acidic
phosphate ester metal salts, Phosphorous acids, Phosphorous acid
metal salts, etc.
[0022]
A decolorant is an additive agent that decolors a leuco dye.
As a decolorant, a compound that dissociates the bond between a
leuco dye and a developer can be used. As a decolorant, such a
compound is preferable that does not develop a color in reaction
with a leuco dye and has polarity enough to dissolve a leuco dye
and a developer. Such a decolorant can be any of the following
substances: Hydroxy compound, Ester compound, Peroxy compound,
Carbonyl compound, Aromatic compound, Aliphatic compound, Halogen
compound, Amino compound, Imino compound, N-oxide compound,
Hydroxylamine compound, Nitro compound, Azo compound, Diazo
compound, Azide compound, Ether compound, Oils and fats, Sugar,
Peptide, Nucleic acid、Alkaloid, Steroid, etc.
[0023]
Returning to Fig. 1, the multiple first unit cells 20a
include transitional color cells 20b having any transitional color
in the process of color change of the allochroic cell 21b. A case
where the allochroic cell 21b was arranged to be colored with an
ink such that coloring density increases, as an integral physical
quantity increases is described below by way of example. When the
allochroic cell 21b changes in color from white to dark blue, the
transitional color cells 20b are, e.g., watery blue (light blue).
A description is made with reference to Fig. 3.
[0024]
Fig. 3 is a diagram explaining a transitional color. Final
color and measured color vectors from an initial color assumed as
an origin are expressed in Equation (i) and Equation (ii).
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Final color (R, G, B) = (Rf–Ri, Gf-Gi, Bf-Bi) …Equation (i)
Measured color (r, g, b) = (rm–Ri, gm-Gi, bm-Bi) …Equation (ii)
[0025]
Lengths of the vectors from the initial color to the final
color and to the measured color (an absolute value of R and an
absolute value of r, respectively) according to Formula (i) and
Formula (ii) are expressed in Formula (iii) and Formula (iv).

We Claim:
Claim 1. A mechanically readable code, comprising:
a first area comprising multiple first unit cells and
including an information region where information was recorded;
a second area comprising multiple second unit cells
including an allochroic cell that changes in color depending on a
physical quantity,
wherein the multiple first unit cells include transitional
color cells having any transitional color in the process of color
change of the allochroic cell.
Claim 2. The code according to claim 1, wherein the proportion
of an area occupied by the second area is equal to or less than
30 % of the entire area of the code.
Claim 3. The code according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
proportion of an area occupied by the allochroic cell is equal to
or less than 10 % of the entire area of the code.
Claim 4. The code according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
information region comprises the first unit cells colored with two
or more colors.
Claim 5. The code according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second
unit cells include cells not changing in color depending on a
physical quantity.
Claim 6. The code according to claim 5, wherein the cells not
changing in color depending on a physical quantity are cells
colored the same as the color of any of the first unit cells.
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Claim 7. The code according to claim 5, wherein the cells not
changing in color depending on a physical quantity are colored
with two or more colors.
Claim 8. The code according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the code is
the one created according to a predefined standard that defines at
least the information region and a non-use region that is not used
for reading the information.
Claim 9. The code according to claim 8, wherein the second area
falls within the non-use region.
Claim 10. The code according to claim 1 or 2, wherein any of the
first unit cells is concolorous with the second unit cells, but
differing in contrasting color density.
Claim 11. An information processing system comprising:
a terminal device having a reader to mechanically read the
information in a code as described in any one of claims 1 to 10;
and
an information processing device,
wherein the information processing device comprising:
a reception unit that receives the information acquired by
the terminal device and color information of the allochroic cell;
a database that retains relationships including a first
relationship between the color of the allochroic cell and a
physical quantity and a second relationship between the
information and a type of ink to color the allochroic cell; and
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a determination unit that determines the physical quantity
to which the code has been exposed, based on the received
information, the color of the allochroic cell, and the
relationships.
Claim 12. An information processing system comprising:
a terminal device having a reader to mechanically read the
information in a code as described in any one of claims 1 to 10;
and
an information processing device,
wherein the information processing device comprising:
a reception unit that receives the information acquired by
the terminal device and image data of the allochroic cell;
a database that retains relationships including a first
relationship between the color of the allochroic cell and a
physical quantity and a second relationship between the
information or the code and a type of ink to color the allochroic
cell; and
a determination unit that identifies the color of the
allochroic cell from received image data of the allochroic cell
and determines the physical quantity to which the code has been
exposed, based on the received information, the identified color
of the allochroic cell, and the relationships.
Claim 13. The information system according to claim 11 or 12,
wherein the physical quantity is an integral physical quantity
that is a product of the physical quantity and elapsed time.
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Claim 14. The information system according to claim 11 or 12,
wherein the first relationships are retained by each type of ink
to color the allochroic cell.
Claim 15. An information processing device that processes
information recorded in a code as described in any one of claims 1
to 10, characterized by comprising:
a reception unit that receives information recorded in the
code and color information of the allochroic cell or image data of
the allochroic cell;
a database that retains relationships including a first
relationship between the color of the allochroic cell and a
physical quantity and a second relationship between the
information and a type of ink to color the allochroic cell; and
a determination unit that determines the physical quantity
to which the code has been exposed, based on the received
information, the color of the allochroic cell, and the
relationships.