Abstract: A two-dimensional bar code printed on a piece of paper is photographed by the area sensor. A reading method of this bar code includes a process for correcting the distortion of the image of the two-dimensional bar code obtained from the area sensor by the projection transform, a process for correcting bright spots appearing in the image, and a process for decoding the two-dimensional bar code based on the image data of the two-dimensional bar code corrected by the two processes. This invention enables size-reduction of the reading device of the two-dimensional bar code and also achieves a higher reading speed of the reading device.

Abstract: A personal authentication system of this invention has a card reader, in which a bar code reading device for reading a two-dimensional barcode containing personal data, a CMOS image sensor for producing face data by photographing the face of a person, and a fingerprint reading device for producing fingerprint data by reading the fingerprint of the person are assembled as one unit. A personal computer performs a projection transform and a brightness correction to the barcode read by the card reader for acquiring accurate data. Then, the personal data, the face data, and the fingerprint data are compared with database for authenticating the person. Therefore, this invention achieves more accurate personal authentication and leads to improved security.

Abstract: A personal authentication system of this invention has a card reader, in which a bar code reading device for reading a two-dimensional barcode containing personal data, a CMOS image sensor for producing face data by photographing the face of a person, and a fingerprint reading device for producing fingerprint data by reading the fingerprint of the person are assembled as one unit. A personal computer performs a projection transform and a brightness correction to the barcode read by the card reader for acquiring accurate data. Then, the personal data, the face data, and the fingerprint data are compared with database for authenticating the person. Therefore, this invention achieves more accurate personal authentication and leads to improved security.

Abstract: A two-dimensional bar code printed on a piece of paper is photographed by the area sensor. A reading method of this bar code includes a process for correcting the distortion of the image of the two-dimensional bar code obtained from the area sensor by the projection transform, a process for correcting bright spots appearing in the image, and a process for decoding the two-dimensional bar code based on the image data of the two-dimensional bar code corrected by the two processes. This invention enables size-reduction of the reading device of the two-dimensional bar code and also achieves a higher reading speed of the reading device.