Abstract: A new reading method is recorded in a code region generated by arranging a plurality of kinds of cells according to a conventional reading method. Furthermore, the code region generated in such a manner that the reading method information is recoded according to the conventional reading method according to which reading is possible by a reading device is displayed together with a code region generated according to the new reading method.

Abstract: A railroad crossing obstacle detection system including: a laser radar device that includes an irradiator and a light receiver, the irradiator applying laser light at irradiation angles set every prescribed angle, and the light receiver receiving the laser light reflected; and a controller, wherein the laser radar device is configured to be supported by an object such that the laser radar device is located above a detection area of an obstacle in railroad crossing, and to apply the laser light from above to the detection area, and the controller is configured to detect an obstacle on the basis of measurement result representing a distance to an object having reflected the laser light, and an irradiation angle for the object; and monitor a change of at least one of a position or a direction of the laser radar device on the basis of the measurement result by the laser radar device.

Abstract: An arithmetic processor is provided to detect a background even when observed data values vary. The processor includes a background candidate data memory 20 storing data as a background candidate. In the data, an observation count, as the number of times of obtaining the same observation data, is correlated with distance data representing the observed data. The processor also includes a ranking section 11 ranking background candidates using the observation count as a basis; an observation count update section 12 comparing observed data with a background candidate stored in the memory 20 to find a match, counting observations of the background candidate if there is a match, and replacing distance data of a lowest-ranked background candidate with the observed data if there is no match; and a background determination section 13 determining there are two backgrounds if the top two background candidates remain unchanged for a predetermined period.

Abstract: A management system includes: an information terminal that reads an information code attached to a management target, the information code storing code identification information that specifies the management target; and a server communicable with the information terminal. The information terminal includes: a reading portion that optically reads display information including the information code; a position information acquisition portion that acquires position information of the information terminal; a terminal-side transmission portion that transmits the position information as reading position information to the server; and a notification portion that notifies predetermined information.

Abstract: A new reading method is recorded in a code region generated by arranging a plurality of kinds of cells according to a conventional reading method. Furthermore, the code region generated in such a manner that the reading method information is recoded according to the conventional reading method according to which reading is possible by a reading device is displayed together with a code region generated according to the new reading method.

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: A management system includes: an information terminal that reads an information code attached to a management target, the information code storing code identification information that specifies the management target; and a server communicable with the information terminal. The information terminal includes: a reading portion that optically reads display information including the information code; a position information acquisition portion that acquires position information of the information terminal; a terminal-side transmission portion that transmits the position information as reading position information to the server; and a notification portion that notifies predetermined information.

Abstract: An arithmetic processor is provided to detect a background even when observed data values vary. The processor includes a background candidate data memory 20 storing data as a background candidate. In the data, an observation count, as the number of times of obtaining the same observation data, is correlated with distance data representing the observed data. The processor also includes a ranking section 11 ranking background candidates using the observation count as a basis; an observation count update section 12 comparing observed data with a background candidate stored in the memory 20 to find a match, counting observations of the background candidate if there is a match, and replacing distance data of a lowest-ranked background candidate with the observed data if there is no match; and a background determination section 13 determining there are two backgrounds if the top two background candidates remain unchanged for a predetermined period.

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: There is provided a device for reading a code on a subject. The device includes an imaging unit provided with an imaging element, a depth-of-field extending unit, and an optical distorting unit. The imaging unit captures an optical image formed on a light-receiving surface of the subject. The depth-of-field extending unit acquires a focused image regardless of distance to the subject, within a predetermined read-out range. In the optical distorting unit, the captured optical image is distorted such that i) the focused image at a minimum distance in the read-out range includes an overall image of the code and ii) the focused image at a maximum distance in the read-out range is provided so as to allow at least a predetermined number of pixels to be assigned to a unit image of the code.

Abstract: There is provided a device for reading a code on a subject. The device includes an imaging unit provided with an imaging element, a depth-of-field extending unit, and an optical distorting unit. The imaging unit captures an optical image formed on a light-receiving surface of the subject. The depth-of-field extending unit acquires a focused image regardless of distance to the subject, within a predetermined read-out range. In the optical distorting unit, the captured optical image is distorted such that i) the focused image at a minimum distance in the read-out range includes an overall image of the code and ii) the focused image at a maximum distance in the read-out range is provided so as to allow at least a predetermined number of pixels to be assigned to a unit image of the code.

Abstract: In an apparatus for optically reading a graphic symbol composed of a plurality of optically identifiable unit sections of information, a first image pickup unit has a first photodetector and picks up a first optical image of the graphic symbol based on light detected by the first photodetector. A second image pickup unit has a second photodetector and configured to pick up a second optical image of the graphic symbol based on light detected by the second photodetector. A correcting unit corrects a light intensity level of at least one section of one of the first and second optical images based on a light intensity level of at least one section of the other of the first and second optical images. The at least one section corresponds to at least one of the unit sections of information of the graphic symbol.

Abstract: In a laser radar apparatus, a laser beam generator that generates a laser beam and an optical detector that detects reflected light that has been reflected by an object in a field to be observed. A deflection performing means, provided with one or more deflection means each rotatable on a given central axis thereof, for enabling the deflection means to deflect the laser beam to the field and to deflect the reflected light toward the optical detector. A drive means driven to rotate the deflection means. A direction changing means changes a direction of the laser beam from the deflection means is changed in a direction of the central axis. A control means controls an operation of the direction changing means.

Abstract: An information reader has blocks of bright field illuminating units illuminating an information code directly marked on an object with first lights to regularly reflect the lights on the code, blocks of dark field illuminating units illuminating the code with second lights to irregularly reflect the lights on the code, an optical system, and a control section lighting the blocks of bright and dark field illuminating units by turns or simultaneously. The optical system forms an image of the code from each of the first and second lights or a combination of the first and second lights reflected on the code and reads the code from the images. The first lights are transmitted along an optical axis of the optical system. The second lights are transmitted toward the optical axis while slightly shifted toward the code.

Abstract: In an apparatus for optically reading out through an imaging optics a first image of information by a photodetector. The information is attached to a target. In the apparatus, a marker beam irradiating unit irradiates on a target a marker beam for indicating a field of view of the photodetector on the target. A first pickup unit causes the photodetector to pick up through the imaging optics a second image of the target based on the field of view while the marker beam is being irradiated on the target by the marker beam irradiating device. A position detecting unit detects a position of the marker beam being irradiated on the target with respect to the field of view based on the picked-up second image. A distance determining unit determines a distance between the apparatus and the target based on the detected position of the marker beam.

Abstract: An apparatus has a photodetector with a plurality of pixels arranged in at least one dimension. The apparatus is designed to optically pick up an image of an information code by the pixels of the photodetector. In the apparatus, an establishing unit establishes a preliminary correcting region on part of the image data. A preliminary correcting unit provides a correcting variable that estimates a shift amount of the image data; and preliminarily corrects the part of the image data within the preliminary correcting region based on a value of the correcting variable. A determining unit determines whether the preliminary correction of the preliminary correcting unit is proper based on the corrected result. When the determining unit determines that the preliminary correction of the preliminary correcting unit is proper, a correcting unit corrects the image data based on the value of the correcting variable.