Abstract: A device for analyzing a worker's work state, the analysis involving generation of determination data for determining whether worker's manual work is performed in a predetermined work order. This device includes imaging and setting units. The imaging unit images, a work video, a worker's manual working state in which the worker repeatedly performs predetermined work. This predetermined work is performed by repeating a plurality of fundamental work operations by hand. Based on a predetermined motion which is previously set for each of the fundamental work operations, the setting unit sets delimitation information to delimit the work video every fundamental work operation at a timing when the predetermined motion is detected. In the device, a generation unit generates determination data which includes both the imaged work video and the set delimitation information. Based on the determination data, the worker's manual work can be analyzed in various ways.

Abstract: A device for analyzing a worker's work state, the analysis involving generation of determination data for determining whether worker's manual work is performed in a predetermined work order. This device includes imaging and setting units. The imaging unit images, a work video, a worker's manual working state in which the worker repeatedly performs predetermined work. This predetermined work is performed by repeating a plurality of fundamental work operations by hand. Based on a predetermined motion which is previously set for each of the fundamental work operations, the setting unit sets delimitation information to delimit the work video every fundamental work operation at a timing when the predetermined motion is detected. In the device, a generation unit generates determination data which includes both the imaged work video and the set delimitation information. Based on the determination data, the worker's manual work can be analyzed in various ways.

Abstract: In an information code reader, an image is imaged by an imager. An information code contained in the image is quantified depending on light-dark levels thereof (tones, color depths, or luminance levels thereof), thereby providing cell information by this quantification. The obtained cell information is transmitted to from the information code reader to a server. In the server, based on the cell information received from the reader, the information code imaged by the imager is decoded. Decoded information is transmitted to the information code reader so that the reader is perform control based on the decoded results.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating an information code is provided. In a generation apparatus, after data to be interpreted and data of an image to be displayed are acquired, a code figure that is provided with an image display region is generated and displayed on a display unit. After the code figure is displayed on the display unit in this way, when information designating an arrangement content of the image display region is inputted, an information code is generated. Specifically, an information code is generated in a form in which the image display region is newly arranged based on the arrangement content designated by the input, and a specification pattern region and a region to be interpreted are provided in positions other than that of the image display region. The information code generated in this way is displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: A two-dimensional information code is provided. Inside the information code, specification Patten regions, a recording region, and an information addition region are arranged. In the specification pattern region, predetermined-shape specification patterns are arranged. Data expressed by a plurality of types of cells are recorded in the data recording region. Additional information, which is different from the data recorded in the data recording region, can be recorded in the information addition region.

Abstract: In an information code reader, an image is imaged by an imager. An information code contained in the image is quantified depending on light-dark levels thereof (tones, color depths, or luminance levels thereof), thereby providing cell information by this quantification. The obtained cell information is transmitted to from the information code reader to a server. In the server, based on the cell information received from the reader, the information code imaged by the imager is decoded. Decoded information is transmitted to the information code reader so that the reader is perform control based on the decoded results.

Abstract: An information code producing apparatus produces a free space inside the code region of an information code arranged on a medium such as sheets of paper. The free space is arranged at a position other than specification pattern regions. Data being interpreted, which are expressed by cells, are not recorded in the free space. The free space has a preset size which is larger than that of a single cell. The information code producing apparatus detects the size of this free space by, at least, either selection from a plurality of candidate shapes prepared in advance or input of shape designating information provided from the outside.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating an information code is provided. In a generation apparatus, after data to be interpreted and data of an image to be displayed are acquired, a code figure that is provided with an image display region is generated and displayed on a display unit. After the code figure is displayed on the display unit in this way, when information designating an arrangement content of the image display region is inputted, an information code is generated. Specifically, an information code is generated in a form in which the image display region is newly arranged based on the arrangement content designated by the input, and a specification pattern region and a region to be interpreted are provided in positions other than that of the image display region. The information code generated in this way is displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: A two-dimensional information code is provided. Inside the information code, specification Patten regions, a recording region, and an information addition region are arranged. In the specification pattern region, predetermined-shape specification patterns are arranged. Data expressed by a plurality of types of cells are recorded in the data recording region. Additional information, which is different from the data recorded in the data recording region, can be recorded in the information addition region.

Abstract: An information code producing apparatus produces a free space inside the code region of an information code arranged on a medium such as sheets of paper. The free space is arranged at a position other than specification pattern regions. Data being interpreted, which are expressed by cells, are not recorded in the free space. The free space has a preset size which is larger than that of a single cell. The information code producing apparatus detects the size of this free space by, at least, either selection from a plurality of candidate shapes prepared in advance or input of shape designating information provided from the outside.

Abstract: A guide light indicating a rectangular reading portion, smaller than an imaging visual field of an area sensor, is irradiated on a reading objective. A control unit, under the irradiated guide light, causes the area sensor to capture a first image. Then, the control unit detects the position of the guide light based on captured first image data. Then, with no irradiation of the guide light, the control unit causes the area sensor to capture a second image. The control unit then estimates an existing region of a two-dimensional code in the second image. The control unit selects, as a processing objective, only a code that is completely contained in the reading portion and executes the decode processing only for the selected code. When failed in a reading operation, the control unit expands a processing objective region and executes the decode processing again.

Abstract: A control circuit performs capturing of pixel signals along each scanning line when a high-speed capturing mode is selected, switches the capturing mode to a partial capturing mode when it is assumed based on the captured pixel signals that an information code is present in one image region, sets a capturing objective area at a predetermined central region to capture pixel signals in this capturing objective area and perform a decoding operation.

Abstract: A guide light indicating a rectangular reading portion, smaller than an imaging visual field of an area sensor, is irradiated on a reading objective. A control unit, under the irradiated guide light, causes the area sensor to capture a first image. Then, the control unit detects the position of the guide light based on captured first image data. Then, with no irradiation of the guide light, the control unit causes the area sensor to capture a second image. The control unit then estimates an existing region of a two-dimensional code in the second image. The control unit selects, as a processing objective, only a code that is completely contained in the reading portion and executes the decode processing only for the selected code. When failed in a reading operation, the control unit expands a processing objective region and executes the decode processing again.

Abstract: A control circuit performs capturing of pixel signals along each scanning line when a high-speed capturing mode is selected, switches the capturing mode to a partial capturing mode when it is assumed based on the captured pixel signals that an information code is present in one image region, sets a capturing objective area at a predetermined central region to capture pixel signals in this capturing objective area and perform a decoding operation.

Abstract: A two-dimensional code 1 consists of three positioning symbols 2, a data region 3, timing cells 4 and an apex detecting cell 5. The shape of the whole code 1 is a square having the same number of vertical and lateral cells. A scanning line passing through the center of each positioning symbols 2 always gives a constant frequency component ratio--dark:light:dark:light:dark=1:1:3:1:1, irrespective of the scanning direction. For this reason, even if a rotational angle of the two-dimensional code is not certain, the specific frequency component ratio of each positioning symbol 2 can be easily detected by executing only one scanning operation in a predetermined direction. Hence, the coordinates of the center of each positioning symbols 2 can be easily found. Thus, the position of the two-dimensional code 1 is quickly identified.

Abstract: A two-dimensional code reading apparatus including a CCD sensor that captures an image including a two-dimensional code attached on an article being conveyed, for example. The two-dimensional code is formed as a matrix of light and dark cells, and includes at least two orientation symbols at corners of the matrix. Each of the orientation symbols is geometrically defined so that when a scanning line signal of the CCD sensor is binary-coded into a sequence of scanning line pulse signals, they show a given frequency component ratio. The two-dimensional code reading apparatus identifies an orientation of the orientation symbols based on positions of the pulse signals showing the given frequency component ratio in the captured image to determine positions of data cells in a data field of the two-dimensional code adjacent to the orientation symbols for decoding code information indicated by the data cells.