Abstract: A system and method for determining which of a plurality of pre-data-collection software applications to apply to optically imaged responses received from a response provider.

Abstract: A method that prevents a printer from repeatedly printing to a document is disclosed. The printer includes a sensor, and the printer is capable of receiving the document and printing data onto the document. When the printer prints to the document, the printer can also print a printing sign onto the document. The method includes, after the printer has received the document, using the sensor to detect whether the document has the printing sign. If the document does not have the printing sign, the printer starts to print data onto the document. If the document has the printing sign, the printer ejects the document without printing to it.

Abstract: An image input apparatus reliably detects occurrence of an error in the receiving of a plurality of image signals for obtaining a high-resolution still image, and prevents time loss caused by meaningless processing in a later stage of processing. By performing pixel shifting control of a lens unit by a lens control unit, a plurality of image signals are produced from an image of an object by an image pickup unit, and are stored in a memory unit. Thereafter, the lens unit is returned to its original position. A calculation unit compares an image signal produced again at that time with the image signal stored in the memory unit, and an invalidity determination unit determines validity/invalidity of the stored image signals. When it has been determined that the stored image signals are invalid, the data stored in the memory unit is cancelled. A plurality of image signals are reinput from the image pickup unit and are stored in the memory unit.

Abstract: A system of changing lensing effect of microlenses on a substrate, by forming indentations in the substrate, which effect the microlenses, by either carrying out a lensing effect, or by changing the shape of the eventual microlens.

Abstract: An improved system and method for obtaining data related to the operation of a processing system which converts from analog measurement data, usually obtained from meters and gages, to digital data. Visual images of various types of measuring instruments are collected and used for measuring a process functionality. An image sensor provides an image of a first feature of the measuring instrument. The image data is processed by an image processor, which is operable to detect a first feature and determine its position relative to a second feature of the measuring instrument. The difference in the relative positions (measured distance) can then be compared to a predetermined or expected value. If the measured and expected values are not substantially the same, a signal can be generated which instructs a controller to adjust the process functionality until the measured value reaches the expected value.

Abstract: A method is described for the operation of an opto-electronic sensor array, in which a plurality of sequential operating light pulses are emitted into a monitored region; the operating light pulses reflected from an object arranged in the monitored region are received by a spatially resolving receiver unit with a plurality of light sensitive sensors; the light intensity of the respectively received reflected operating light pulses is detected and stored in each case during an activation interval synchronously with the emission of the operating light pulses for each sensor; and after each activation interval, in sequential transmission steps, the light intensities stored for the sensors are transmitted to a parallel processor having a plurality of parallel signal inputs for the parallel signal processing, with the transmission in each case taking place for a plurality of sensors simultaneously in each transmission step. Furthermore, a sensor array for the carrying out of the method is described.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for programming instructions into a system including a scanning device. The instructions are defined by machine and human readable indicia on an instruction support sheet. A document is associated with the instruction support sheet and may be processed with the instructions. Desired instructions may be selected by annotations on the instruction sheet. The instruction sheet is then scanned to encode the selections. Data sets corresponding to the composition of the instruction sheet are accessed to interpret the selected instructions. Based upon the selected instructions, operations are performed on the document. The operations may include scanning, transmission of facsimiles, transmission of electronic messages, archival storage, and so forth. The instruction sheet may be composed and configured in accordance with needs of individual users. The scanning device may be associated with a computer system or may be a stand-alone device.

Abstract: A method for composition and transmission of an electronic mail message including: printing a document to facilitate composition and transmission of the electronic mail message; composing the electronic mail message on the document utilizing a sensing device adapted to read coded data in the document; transmitting interaction data from the sensing device to a computer system, the interaction data representing interaction of the sensing device with the coded data to allow the message to be electronically captured in the computer system; and transmitting the message to at least one recipient address.

Abstract: A product and document fulfilment system for merging together discrete articles and specific documentation which pertains to each discrete article, and for packaging and labelling the same. The system comprises an article conveyor on which discrete articles are carried seriatim, a first machine code reader for reading the unique machine readable code on each discrete article, a printer for printing a specific document pertaining to the article, instruction control means governing the delivery of the appropriate document to be merged with the article, a merging station where the specific document and the article are merged, a second machine code reader for reading the machine readable code on the specific document, first memory and counter means for recognizing the identity of the discrete article at the merging station, and accept/reject means to accept the merged article and specific document when a match occurs, or reject the item when no match occurs.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprises an indication means placed on a manuscript; a reading unit for reading information on the manuscript; an indication means detection unit for detecting the indication means placed on the manuscript, thereby detecting a region indicated by the indication means on the manuscript; and an information processing unit performing a predetermined process to the information obtained from the region indicated by the detected indication means, amongst the information on the manuscript read by the reading unit. Therefore, by only placing the indication means on a target portion to be processed on the manuscript, the portion is detected by the indicated means detection unit to be subjected to a process such as scale-up by the information processing unit.

Abstract: A plurality of original documents which are fed in sequence by a document feeder are prescanned. The prescanned image is stored, and a plurality of original document images are previewed on the basis of the stored image data. An original document image which should be subjected to image processing is selected from the plurality of previewed original document images, and the image of the original document selected from among the plurality of original documents which are fed in sequence by the document feeder is finally scanned.

Abstract: The adjusting apparatus and method of the present invention are used to carry out boundary adjustment, horizontal position adjustment, and resolution adjustment, wherein the track deviations can be detected by showing waveforms corresponding to the illumination of the scanned image of the adjusting apparatus on an oscilloscope. Moreover, the blank block region provided in the center of the adjusting apparatus can be used in conjunction with the blank regions provided at two sides of the adjusting apparatus for analyzing the illuminations of the scanned image at the center and two sides of the image-receiving device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of processing digital image data, wherein cinematographic film is scanned to produce digital image data corresponding to the image(s) stored on the film; the digital image data is stored in data storage means; adjustments are made to the digital image data by a processor at the request of an operator; when an adjustment is requested by an operator the adjustment is compared to predetermined criteria; and a signal is generated if the adjustment requires the digital image data to be re-scanned from the film. There is also disclosed a method of processing digital image data, produced by scanning a plurality of frames of cinematographic film, wherein a region of a frame of digital image data is selected and that region is replaced with a computer generated image data.

Abstract: Today, increased efforts are made to provide users with people-machine data-processing interfaces which are as simple and comfortable as possible. Inputting is currently carried out in data-processing systems via host terminals and personal computers as well as via other peripherals, such as network computers. However, the real evolutionary leap has been the achievement of input by means of writing and speech recognition. Handwriting in particular is a form of expression with which people are familiar from childhood onwards and which, unlike speech, also produces documented proof of expression.

Abstract: A vibration sensor is provided in a telescope. When vibrations are detected by the vibration sensor, the vibrating state of a reflecting mirror is estimated by the vibration sensor. When an image signal is captured by an image sensor, the frequency or period of capturing the image signal is varied depending on the state of vibrations of the reflecting mirror. In this manner, the time required for measurement is shortened, or the measuring error due to the swinging of the reflecting mirror is minimized.

Abstract: CPU of a sheet processing apparatus reads a sheet by a scanner, stores the image of the sheet in an image memory, checks to determine whether expanding, reducing, rotating, synthesizing or other editing operations have been performed for the sheet image stored in the image memory and performs processing for converting the image to a recognizable size and rotating an image before recognizing the read sheet image when determining that editing has been performed. CPU further recognizes sheet ID information contained in the sheet image stored in the image memory by means of a character recognizing section, selects an unrecorded sheet image corresponding to the sheet ID information from a hard disk, stores the image in the image memory and prints out by way of a printer. Thus, sheets synthesized, expanded/reduced, rotated or edited in other ways can be recognized and high image quality of clean and unrecorded sheets can always be provided, thereby maintaining a good recognition rate.

Abstract: An improved image sensing module disclosed herein has particular applications in imaging systems, such as image scanners, copy machines and facsimile machines, that optically convert an object to a signal or image before other processes can be proceeded. In one embodiment, the image sensing module employs a control signal circuitry that is integrated in an image sensor. The control signal circuitry receives a predetermined period for the light integration process of the image sensor and produces a sensor control signal that includes a time parameter that ensures that the light integration process lasts exactly for the predetermined time regardless how long an illumination source is kept on.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for image scanning of variable sized documents having variable orientations are disclosed. Apparatus for scanning a slip includes a slip editor that provides a user interface via which slip definition parameters that define a slip to be scanned can be entered. The slip editor receives the slip definition parameters via the user interface, and stores the received slip definition parameters in a slip definition parameter file.

Abstract: A method for compressing a digitized image of a document using optical character recognition (OCR). The method includes performing optical character recognition (OCR) on the digitized image, identifying, based, at least in part, on a result of the performing step, a plurality of classes of characters comprised in the image, each the class of characters having an associated character value and comprising at least one character, pruning each class of characters, thereby producing information describing the plurality of classes of characters and a residual image, and utilizing the information describing the plurality of classes of characters and the residual image as a compressed digitized image in further processing. Related methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for preventing overlap of the region of an image of an original with the positions of staples is provided. It is determined if the positions of staples set through an operation unit overlap with the image of the original read by a reader unit. If the result of the determination is affirmative, the distance between an end portion of the image and the positions of staples is calculated. The input image is subjected to parallel movement by an amount of movement corresponding to the calculated distance. An image obtained by synthesizing an image after the parallel movement and an image indicating the positions of staples set through the operation unit is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for use when an application prints a document and a corresponding envelope is printed by an independent process, unknown to the application, using soft fonts (dynamic fonts). The system allows creation of a mail piece, which generally consists of document pages and an envelope; the pages to be printed according to data and layout specified in a pages file and using a pages font as indicated in the pages file; and the envelope to be printed with address information extracted from the pages file according to instructions specified in an envelope template file. The instructions of the envelope template file include a layout and a dynamic envelope font, such as a true type font. The system includes a printer driver, responsive to a call to prepare to start printing the pages of the mail piece and in turn for obtaining from the envelope template file the envelope font.

Abstract: A system for automatically imaging special service forms and affixing same to an envelope is provided. The system has a mailpiece handler for accepting mailpieces having a machine readable code. The system also has a data storage unit for storing addressee and/or sender data related to the mailpieces. A code reader constructed and arranged to read the machine-readable code on the mailpieces is provided. An imaging unit is provided for imaging data onto special service forms wherein the data is obtained from the data storage unit. Further, an assembly unit assembles the special service forms to the mailpieces. Further, a method of fully automating imaging of special service forms and affixing same to an envelope is also provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an original document conveying device to convey an original document at a predetermined conveying speed according to a magnification ratio. An original document reading device reads image information of the original document with a one-dimensional image sensor, and an information omission device omits information of the image information of the original document read by the original document reading device. An image forming device forms an image according to the image information read by the original document reading device synchronized with conveying of the original document by the original document conveying device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including: an image acquiring element for acquiring a target image; an identification information recognizing element for recognizing identification information corresponding to a specific image pattern from the target image acquired by the image acquiring element; and an activating element for activating selectively from among a plurality of previously stored processes a specific process corresponding to the identification information recognized by the identification information recognizing element so as to start execution of the specific process.

Abstract: A computer input device detects images on a surface. The computer input device generates input information indicative of a change event when the device switches from reading one predetermined pattern to reading another predetermined pattern. The present invention can also be directed to a method of using the input device or printable medium with the predetermined patterns disposed thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for ensuring quality during scanning/copying of images/documents. The method includes the steps of feeding in the page(s) that are to be scanned/copied. Thereafter, a first measurement of outer characteristics is performed with respect to skew, double-feeding/overlapping, deviating shape, and geometric deformation for calculating a first quality measure Q1. Thereafter, the first quality measure Q1 is compared with a predetermined first quality limit Q+1. If Q1≧Q+1, then an automatic adjustment is performed in the form of a geometric transformation in order to improve the first quality measure Q1. Thereafter, the contents of the page are analyzed with respect to structure and objects in order to calculate a second quality measure Q2, which is compared with a predetermined second quality limit Q+2. If Q2≧Q+2, then image improvement methods are performed on each identified object.

Abstract: An image scanning technique of the present invention shortens the time required for reading images of a plurality of originals set on an original tray. The positions of a lens 18 and a line of CCDs 20 are adjusted, so as to enable a scanning range of the line of CCDs 20 in a primary scanning direction to cover a plurality of originals. A first shooting range Z1 of the line of CCDs 20 covers four trimming areas Tr1,Tr2, Tr5, and Tr6. The procedure of the image scanning technique first reads white reference data of a white reference plate in the first shooting range Z1, then scans the four trimming areas Tr1, Tr2, Tr5, and Tr6 while fixing the shooting range to the first shooting range Z1, and carries out shading correction to correct image data obtained by the scan with the white reference data. This structure requires the process of scanning the white reference plate and updating the white reference data only once for correcting the image data of the plurality of originals.

Abstract: A digital camera which performs accurate document reading, and is used in a document processing system. In the document processing system, a document is divided into blocks and each block is sensed by a CCD, and perspective correction is performed on the image data of each of a plurality of images obtained by divisionally sensing the document. An OCR process is performed on the corrected image data to convert the corrected image data to text data. The converted text data, corresponding to the image data of each of the plurality of images, is combined into one text data, and the combined text data is output for printing.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for correcting image errors in a shuttle type of a scanner, in which a predetermined pattern is printed on a recordable paper. Then the recordable paper is positioned at an initial position, and the printed pattern on the recordable paper is scanned and scanned pattern data are stored. The pattern data are then compared to preset reference data so as to calculate an amount of image errors. Continuously, the amount of corrections corresponding to the amount of the image errors are determined from a preset correcting table and the amount of the corrections are stored. Finally, a document is scanned and scanned document data are corrected by the stored amount of corrections. Accordingly, the stable data can be obtained by correcting the image errors in the shuttle type of the scanner in such a manner as described above.

Abstract: In a copy machine which is one type of an image forming apparatus, a job out of a plurality of jobs to be displayed on a display is selected according to a state of the copy machine and an operation towards the copy machine. When the copy machine is currently carrying out an operation, either a print operation or a read operation is selected with the read operation having a higher priority. When an error occurs resulting in of the copy machine being halted, the job causing the error is selected. When the copy machine currently attains a stop state, a predetermined setting carried out by the operator with respect to the copy machine is selected. The selected job is displayed on the display as the current job which is a job of the operator. Since the operator can identify the contents of the job according to the state of the copy machine, an image forming apparatus with a multi-job function is provided that can be easily handled by the operator.

Abstract: An image processing device is disclosed which can reliably detect documents which may not be copied, which has a very small probability of false positives, and which can handle newly issued documents which may not be copied. In addition, an image processing scheme is disclosed which would accurately obtain the location of a pattern indicating a document to be detected; which would extract that pattern; which would determine correctly whether it is the right pattern; and which would make it difficult for anyone to tamper with the pattern. To achieve this, a specified pattern is imprinted before use on a document which may not be copied, and a previously specified number of positioning marks and dummy marks which identify the location of the pattern may also be imprinted. The device is able to detect a wide variety of documents and perform the required processing at high speed.

Abstract: A reading unit optically reads a code including a plurality of blocks arranged in accordance with a predetermined block layout format by sensing the code to include a plurality of blocks within one image sensing frame. A block detection unit detects the blocks from the code read by the reading unit. An address data acquisition unit acquires address data of the blocks detected by the block detection unit. A block data decoding unit decodes block data from the data patterns of the blocks detected by the block detection unit. An information data reproduction unit reproduces original information data by coupling the block data decoded by the block data decoding unit in accordance with the address data acquired by the address data acquisition unit. An image sensing state discrimination unit discriminates the image sensing state of the code read by the reading unit.

Abstract: A framing aid for a handheld document capture device such as a digital camera, comprising two pattern generators (10,20) generating convergent patterns (14, 24) that are in register on a target object plane. Triangulation between the two pattern generators (10,20) and using superimposed or complementary patterns (14,24) ensures that the hand held device (1) is correctly arranged at a predetermined range and orientation above a document to be captured, such that the document is accurately framed within the field of view of the capture device (1).

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to correctly recognize a delimiter of character trains included in image information. Namely, an object of the invention is to correctly recognize and extract not only an image divided every column by lateral rules but also an image which is not divided every column by lateral rules on a column unit basis. For this purpose, according to the invention, attributes regarding whether a table image extracted from the image information is a table without lateral rule or not are discriminated in accordance with characteristics of line images which are extracted from the image information. In accordance with the attributes, whether line delimiter information is added every line image extracted or not is determined, so that the character trains included in the table image which is not divided every unit column by the lateral rules can be divided every column and recognized.

Abstract: A furlable keyboard apparatus includes a generally cylindrical housing and a flexible keyboard mounted to the housing such that the keyboard is furlable around the housing when the keyboard apparatus is not in use. The keyboard has keyboard indicia formed thereon providing a plurality of visual key representations arranged in a plurality of generally horizontal key rows and partially diagonal key columns. A plurality of keystroke signal generators underly the keyboard indicia and are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the key representions forming the key columns and key rows. The keystroke signal generators are responsive to finger pressure and are interconnected by logical ORing to form key groups providing key group signals whenever a keystroke signal generator underlying one of the key groups is pressed or released. An imaging device is mounted on the housing and is positionable over the keyboard.

Abstract: An image processing device and method recognizing and deleting extraneous objects in image for data based on analysis of the image data. An object detection means detects an object region such as a finger or the like in a document image, and an image processing means erases part of an image corresponding to the object region of a finger or the like in the image data. The object detection means detects the object region by a dynamic contouring method in which a specific initial contour is set relative to the image data, and the initial contour is adjusted along a border of variable density in the image data so as to accurately erase an object image of a finger of a user holding a document.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sending a facsimile of a message is disclosed. The present invention provides for recording pen strokes that set forth a message and sending the recorded pen strokes as part of a facsimile.

Abstract: A code pattern of an information recording medium contains processing information necessary for editing data according to a restoration processing procedure for restoring multimedia information. The restoration processing procedure has a hierarchical structure of layers 1 to 5. The layer 5 has a file management function. The layer 4 has a function of collecting subset elements to create a subset and converting the same to create a data transfer unit or sector which the layer 5 deals with. The layer 3 or lower layer has a function of reading the code pattern from the information recording medium, subjecting the code pattern to a preset restoration process and outputting the subset elements.

Abstract: An image recognition method and device detects an object mark reliably even when the mark is defaced with a different color. RGB signals are transmitted to color extraction unit. The color extraction unit has a characteristic color extraction block to extract the characteristic color of the object mark. A binary image is generated from the extracted pixels which are the color of the mark and stored in storage device. A mark detection unit detects the location of the mark in the stored image data and an image extraction unit extracts the region where the mark is located and obtains a feature count. A matching unit compares the feature count with a reference pattern and finds the goodness of fit. A control unit subjects the goodness of fit value to threshold value processing to determine whether this is a nonreproducible document. If the mark has been defaced with black ink, the pixels constituting the mark are extracted by a likely color extraction block.

Abstract: In a system for printing and recording multimedia information on an information recording medium in the form of an optically readable code pattern, reading the code pattern and restoring the original multimedia information, the code pattern of the information recording medium includes processing information necessary for editing and processing data according to the restoration processing procedure for restoring the multimedia information. Further, the restoration processing procedure includes a hierarchical structure of layers 1 to 5 and an application process. In the layer 5 and application process, a set specification identifier determining section selects the decoding section, selects the reproducing output section and sets parameters according to the set specification name identifier and SDCH supplied as header information prior to user data of the subset from the layer 4.

Abstract: An image printing system includes an image forming apparatus comprising a digital still camera to take images and store the taken images by converting them into electronic information, a scanner to read document images, image forming units to form document images read by the scanner on recording media and a sorter to sort the recording media with images formed thereon. The image printing system further includes a designation medium to designate a first information designating image to be printout to recording media out of those images taken by a digital still camera, a second information designating the number of recording media on which images are to be printed and a third information designating the sorting of recording media on which images are output.

Abstract: A transmission job originating station for controlling transmission of job information, based on the processing of a print job in a printing system, is provided. The control system includes a document generating subsystem for providing at least a portion of the print job to be delivered to a print machine and a user interface for programming a set of information including one or more confirmation destinations with each confirmation destination being disposed remotely of the transmission job originating station. The transmission job originating station further includes a control subsystem which, in response to the processing of at least a portion of the print job at the printing machine, reads the set of information and determines each confirmation destination, programmed with the user interface, to which the job information is to be transmitted.

Abstract: A stationary data symbol reader includes a CCD, lens, CCD drive circuit, amplification circuit, binarization circuit, memory, CPU, light sources, light source drive circuit, communication driver, switch circuit and trigger switch. When reading, a frame image capture is carried out, and a number of picture elements of the fields of the frame corresponding to the displacement of an authenticator pattern (associated with the data symbol) between a second field image and a first field image is calculated. The moving speed of the data symbol is calculated from the displacement. The optimal light exposure time is calculated from the moving speed, and the optimal intensity of illumination is calculated from the exposure time.

Abstract: A image processing apparatus includes a scanner scanning data from both document sheets and Optical Mark Reader (OMR) data sheets thereon, a converter converting data scanned by the scanner to digital multi-valued coded data, a multiplexer selecting a suitable threshold level for recognizing the digital multi-valued coded data from the document sheets and the OMR data sheets, and a comparator comparing digital multi-valued coded data from the document sheets and the OMR data sheets with a suitable threshold level to generate binary coded data.

Abstract: An information input method and interface, which can easily be operated without direct awareness of hardware, are provided. Image recognition is performed with an image recognition unit on image information obtained from imaging a target pattern on an object surface and an access indication pattern created by a user. The input patterns are created with an image pickup unit. The target pattern is associated with corresponding information stored in a storage unit. An access indication input which specifies a subset of the information is generated by performing image recognition on the access indication pattern. A control operation corresponding to the access indication input is performed in response to the access indication input by a control unit.

Abstract: An automatic grader device is provided including a scanner adapted to receive an answer key sheet and a plurality of student answer sheets and scan the sheets for storing the same electronically. Also included is a printer for printing copies of each of the student answer sheets scanned by the scanner and further printing additional characters thereon. An error detection mechanism serves to compare characters of each of the student answer sheets with those of the answer key sheet, deduct from a total score a worth of each error times a number of errors on each student answer sheet, print an "X" on the copy adjacent each error detected, and print a net score on the copy of the student answer sheet.

Abstract: A processor-based fax routing method receives digital data representing a facsimile document. Without performing optical character recognition ("OCR"), the method identifies in the image data a keyword block of text, and an addressee-name block of text that is located near the keyword block of text. The fax routing method then performs OCR on the image data extracting therefrom texts for the keyword, the name of the addressee, and other text present in the facsimile. Using probabilities computed between the text of the name of the addressee and names in a list of possible addressees, and between the keyword and keywords in a list of keywords, the fax routing method determines an addressee for the document. The fax routing method then converts all text into email addressed to the fax's addressee, and stores the email onto an email server from which it may be retrieved.

Abstract: A two-dimensional information processing apparatus comprises a plurality of unit cell circuits arranged in a tow-dimensional matrix and each including a detector for detecting information as predetermined part of two-dimensional information, a storage circuit for storing the information detected by the detector, and a signal processing circuit for generating a pulse width modulation signal which has a pulse width corresponding to the information detected or stored, a plurality of address lines extending in a direction of columns of the matrix, and each connected to those unit cell circuits which are included in a corresponding one of the columns, a plurality of bus lines extending in a direction of rows of the matrix, and each connected to those unit cell circuits which are included in a corresponding one of the rows, means for selecting at least one of the address lines and supplying, through the selected address line, a control signal for generating a pulse width modulation signal to those unit cell circuit

Abstract: A code pattern of an information recording medium contains processing information necessary for editing data according to a restoration processing procedure for restoring multimedia information. The restoration processing procedure has a hierarchical structure of layers 1 to 5. The layer 5 has a file management function. The layer 4 has a function of collecting subset elements to create a subset and converting the same to create a data transfer unit or sector which the layer 5 deals with. The layer 3 or lower layer has a function of reading the code pattern from the information recording medium, subjecting the code pattern to a preset restoration process and outputting the subset elements.

Abstract: A code sheet is prepared which records thereon one or more optically readable control dot codes and is used to change or process the output format of multimedia information. When the control dot code is read by an information reproduction apparatus for optically reading a data dot code from a recording medium which records thereon the multimedia information in the form of the data dot code, and outputting data corresponding to the multimedia information, a data separation section separates a control instruction included in the control dot code, and a system control section controls, in accordance with the control instruction, a reproduction section so as to change or process the multimedia information obtained from the data dot code.