Information code and information code reader

1. An information code comprising:

a plurality of light-colored modules exhibiting reflective characteristics of light color when light of a second wavelength band different in wavelengths from light of a first wavelength band is radiated to the light-colored modules;

a plurality of dark-colored modules exhibiting reflective characteristics of dark color when the light of the second wavelength band is radiated to the dark-colored modules, the light-colored and dark-colored modules being arranged in a code region of the code; and

a masked portion disposed in a predetermined region of the code region, the predetermined region preventing the information code from being decoded when the predetermined region is intercepted from being lighted, the masked portion (i) allowing light reflected from the modules of the code region to pass through the masked region when the light of the second wavelength band is radiated to the code region and (ii) interrupting the light of the first wavelength band from passing through the masked region.

2. The information code of claim 1 , wherein:

the code region is configured such that a plurality of characters formed by arranging a plurality of modules of both the light-colored and dark-colored modules are arranged in a direction of reading the information code; and

the masked portion is disposed in the predetermined region to mask at least any one of a start character and an end character of the characters, the start character being a symbol indicating a start of the reading and a stop character being a symbol indicating an end of the reading.

3. The information code of claim 1 , wherein:

the corresponding information code is a two-dimensional code in which location detection regions configured to specify locations are included in the code region, the location detection regions composing the predetermined region; and

the masked portion is disposed to mask the location detection regions.

4. The information code of claim 1 , wherein:

the corresponding information code is a two-dimensional code in which location detection regions configured to specify locations and format information regions configured to acquire format information for reading the corresponding information code are included in the code region, the location detection regions and the format information regions composing the predetermined region; and

the masked portion is disposed to mask at least one of the location detection regions and the format information regions.

5. The information code of claim 1 , wherein:

the corresponding information code is a two-dimensional code in which characteristic pattern regions are disposed at predetermined locations in the code region, the characteristic pattern regions being formed in defined shapes; and

the masked portion is disposed to mask a part of the characteristic pattern regions as the predetermined region.

6. The information code of claim 1 , wherein:

the information code is a two-dimensional code in which characteristic pattern regions are disposed at predetermined locations in the code region, the characteristic pattern regions being formed in defined shapes; and

the masked portion is disposed to mask an area other than the characteristic pattern regions, the area composing the predetermined region.

7. The information code of claim 1 , wherein the masked portion is formed in a shape of a figure whose shape, pattern or color is arbitrarily chosen.

8. The information code of claim 1 , wherein the masked portion is disposed to mask the entire code region.

9. The information code of claim 1 , wherein the masked portion is configured as a second information code in which a plurality of light-colored modules exhibiting reflective characteristics of light color when the light of the second wavelength band is radiated to the light-colored modules and a plurality of dark-colored module exhibiting reflective characteristics of dark color when light of the second wavelength band is radiated to the dark-colored modules are arranged, the second information code having information different from information acquired from the code region.

10. The information code of claim 1 , wherein a second masked portion having transparency at a temperature higher than a room temperature is disposed in the predetermined region in which the masked portion is disposed.

11. The information code of claim 1 , wherein the masked portion is configured as a separate portion capable of being added to the predetermined region when desired.

12. The information code of claim 11 , wherein the masked portion is added by attaching a seal member to the predetermined region when desired.

13. The information code of claim 11 , wherein the masked portion is added by applying ink onto the predetermined region when desired.

14. The information code of claim 2 , wherein the masked portion is formed in a shape of a figure whose shape, pattern or color is arbitrarily chosen.

15. The information code of claim 2 , wherein a second masked portion having transparency at a temperature higher than a room temperature is disposed in the predetermined region in which the masked portion is disposed.

16. The information code of claim 2 , wherein the masked portion is configured as a separate portion capable of being added to the predetermined region when desired.

17. The information code of claim 3 , wherein the masked portion is formed in a shape of a figure whose shape, pattern or color is arbitrarily chosen.

18. The information code of claim 3 , wherein a second masked portion having transparency at a temperature higher than a room temperature is disposed in the predetermined region in which the masked portion is disposed.

19. An information code reader for optically reading an information code comprising:

a plurality of light-colored modules exhibiting reflective characteristics of light color when light of a second wavelength band different in wavelengths from light of a first wavelength band is radiated to the light-colored modules;

a plurality of dark-colored modules exhibiting reflective characteristics of dark color when the light of the second wavelength band is radiated to the dark-colored modules, the light-colored and dark-colored modules being arranged in a code region of the code; and

a masked portion disposed in a predetermined region of the code region, the predetermined region preventing the information code from being decoded when the predetermined region is intercepted from being lighted, the masked portion (i) allowing light reflected from the modules of the code region to pass through the masked region when the light of the second wavelength band is radiated to the code region and (ii) interrupting the light of the first wavelength band from passing through the masked region,

the information code reader comprising:

illumination means capable of radiating at least the light of the second wavelength band of the light;

capturing means for capturing an image of the information code onto which any one of the light of the first wavelength band and the light of the second wavelength band is radiated; and

reading means for decoding the code region based on an arrangement of the modules that are extracted from the image of the information code captured by the capturing means.

20. An information code reader for optically reading an information code comprising:

a plurality of light-colored modules exhibiting reflective characteristics of light color when light of a second wavelength band different in wavelengths from light of a first wavelength band is radiated to the light-colored modules;

a plurality of dark-colored modules exhibiting reflective characteristics of dark color when the light of the second wavelength band is radiated to the dark-colored modules, the light-colored and dark-colored modules being arranged in a code region of the code; and

a masked portion disposed in a predetermined region of the code region, the predetermined region preventing the information code from being decoded when the predetermined region is intercepted from being lighted, the masked portion (i) allowing light reflected from the modules of the code region to pass though the masked region when the light of the second wavelength band is radiated to the code region and (ii) interrupting the light of the first wavelength band from passing through the masked region,

wherein the information code is a two-dimensional code in which characteristic pattern regions are disposed at predetermined locations in the code region, the characteristic pattern regions being formed in defined shapes;

the masked portion is disposed to mask an area other than the characteristic pattern regions, the area composing the predetermined region; and

the characteristic pattern regions are location detection regions configured to specify a location of the code region,

the information code reader comprising:

illumination means capable of radiating at least the light of the second wavelength band of the light;

capturing means for capturing an image of the information code onto which any one of the light of the first wavelength band and the light of the second wavelength band is radiated; and

decoding means for specifying a location of the code region based on the location detection regions extracted from the image of the information code captured by the capturing means, and decoding the code region based on an arrangement of the modules of the extracted code region whose location is specified;

wherein the illumination means radiates the light of the second wavelength band if the location detection regions are extracted and the code region is not extracted from the image while the light of the first wavelength band is being radiated; and

wherein the decoding means, with respect to the image that is captured by the capturing means while the light of the first wavelength band is being radiated, specifies the location of the code region based on the location detection regions extracted while the light of the first wavelength band is being radiated, and decodes the code region based on the arrangement of the modules of the extracted code region whose location is specified.