PRINTING UNIT

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form at least one information selected out of sound information, image information and digital code information surely into a two-dimensional code, to be printed under a visible condition. SOLUTION: This printing unit is provided with compression circuits 636, 638 for converting input information into code information as to a regeneration data when regenerated, an error correction code imparting circuit 642 for imparting error correction information to the code information, a memory 644 for dispersing two-dimensionally the code information imparted with the error correction information to obtain two-dimensional code information, a marker imparting circuit 650 for imparting at least three positioning markers to the two-dimensional code information, as positioning information for specifying a position of the dispersion-processed two-dimensional code information, and a printer 626 for printing the two-dimensional code information imparted with the at least three positioning markers in a recording medium, as the two-dimensional code (pattern). COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI