CODE RECOGNITION METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ROTATING BODY

A code printing and recognition system for printing, reading, and decoding a code on an article while the article is rotated and conveyed along a predetermined path. The system includes a code printing unit for printing a code in a printing area of the article. The code printed on the article consists of a plurality of code signs, while the printing area is a portion of a circle having a predetermined radius and centered at the central point of the bottom surface portion or the top surface portion of the article. The printing area is divided into a plurality of concentric-circular portions, so that each code sign is encoded by placing a number of dots in a respective circular portion. The system also includes an image pickup unit for acquiring an image of the printing area of the article and a code recognition unit for detecting dots in each circular portion, counting the detected dots in each circular portion, and decoding each code sign on a basis of the dot count in a respective circular portion.