Multiple hologram QR code using multiple viewpoints and multiple focal depths

Abstract

A multiple hologram QR code using multiple viewpoints and multiple focal depths is provided. A method for generating a multiple 3D code, according to an embodiment of the present invention, divides an original 3D code into a plurality of sub-codes having different depths, arranges the divided sub-codes to be displayed in different directions, and generates the multiple 3D code by combining the arranged sub-codes. Therefore, the multiple hologram QR code is implemented such that display directions and focal distances differ for respective portions, and thus it is impossible to easily duplicate the multiple hologram QR code as with a conventional 2D QR code, and a different scanning method in which viewpoint scanning and focus scanning are combined can be provided.

Description

Multi-holographic QR code using multiple viewpoints and multiple focal points

[0001] The present invention relates to a QR (Quick Response) code, and more specifically, to a novel QR code that displays the QR code using a hologram to enhance security.

[0002] A QR code is a matrix-format two-dimensional code that represents information using a black-and-white grid pattern. It is currently widely used because it overcomes the capacity limitations of conventional barcodes, allowing it to store character data in addition to numbers.

[0003] Figure 1 illustrates a 2D QR code, but it has the problem that anyone can easily duplicate it, making it difficult to use in financial services requiring security (e.g., account number services) due to the risk of theft or manipulation.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for QR codes with enhanced security; to achieve this, a new concept of QR code that is difficult to duplicate and has a structure fundamentally different from existing QR codes must be proposed.

[0005] The present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a structure, generation method, and scanning method for a multi-holographic QR code that is impossible to duplicate, unlike existing 2D QR codes which are easy to duplicate, and which partially implements different display directions and focal lengths.

[0006] A method for generating multiple 3D codes according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective comprises: generating an original 3D code containing specific information; dividing the generated original 3D code into a plurality of subcodes having different depths; arranging the divided subcodes so that they are displayed in different directions; and combining the arranged subcodes to generate multiple 3D codes.

[0007] Subcodes can be 2D codes.

[0008] Subcodes can be composed of discontinuous planes in a planar sense.

[0009] Subcodes may be displayed in different directions with different depths, and may be scannable at different focal lengths from different viewpoints.

[0010] The multi-3D code generation method according to the present invention may further include the step of generating the generated multi-3D code into a holographic pattern; and the step of recording the generated holographic pattern on a holographic recording medium.

[0011] The method for generating multiple 3D codes according to the present invention may further include the step of scanning sub-codes constituting multiple 3D codes displayed as a hologram in a holographic recording medium; and the step of combining the scanned sub-codes to have a corresponding depth to restore them into a single 3D code.

[0012] The scanning step may involve changing the viewpoint of the mobile terminal camera and sequentially scanning subcodes displayed in different directions.

[0013] The scanning step may involve scanning subcodes at a corresponding depth while adjusting the focal length of the mobile terminal camera at that point in time.

[0014] The 3D code can be a 3D QR (Quick Response) code.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a multi-3D code generation system is provided, comprising: a hologram generation device that generates an original 3D code containing specific information, divides the generated original 3D code into a plurality of subcodes having different depths, arranges the divided subcodes so as to be displayed in different directions, combines the arranged subcodes to generate a multi-3D code, and generates the generated multi-3D code into a hologram pattern; and a hologram printer that records the hologram pattern generated by the hologram generation device onto a hologram recording medium.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a multi-3D code scanning method is provided, comprising the steps of: displaying a multi-3D code recorded on a holographic recording medium; scanning sub-codes constituting the displayed multi-3D code; and combining the scanned sub-codes to have a corresponding depth to restore them into a single 3D code, wherein the multi-3D code is generated by dividing an original 3D code into a plurality of sub-codes having different depths, arranging the divided sub-codes so as to be displayed in different directions, and then combining them.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a multi-3D code scanning system is provided, comprising: a light source that irradiates a reference light onto a holographic recording medium to display a multi-3D code recorded on the holographic recording medium; and a mobile terminal that scans sub-codes constituting the displayed multi-3D code and combines the scanned sub-codes to have a corresponding depth to restore them into a single 3D code, wherein the multi-3D code is generated by dividing an original 3D code into a plurality of sub-codes having different depths, arranging the divided sub-codes so that they are displayed in different directions, and then combining them.

[0018] As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, by implementing a multi-holographic QR code with partially different display directions and focal lengths, it is impossible to easily duplicate it like a conventional 2D QR code, and it allows one to experience a unique scanning method that combines viewpoint scanning and focal scanning.

[0019] Figure 1 shows a conventional 2D QR code,

[0020] FIG. 2 is a method for generating a multi-holographic QR code according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0021] Figure 3 is an example of a 3D QR code,

[0022] Figure 4 shows the depth structure of a 3D QR code,

[0023] Figure 5 is an example of original 3D QR code segmentation,

[0024] Figure 6 shows the depth representation of the sub-QR codes,

[0025] Figure 7 is an example of the display direction of sub-QR codes.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a multi-holographic QR code generation system according to another embodiment of the present invention,

[0027] FIG. 9 is a multi-holographic QR code scanning method according to another embodiment of the present invention,

[0028] Fig. 10 shows the sequential scanning process of sub-QR codes,

[0029] FIG. 11 is a multi-holographic QR code scanning system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, a multi-holographic QR (Quick Response) code utilizing viewpoint change and focus adjustment is presented. This is a technology for generating a hologram with multiple viewpoints and multiple focal lengths by partially implementing different display directions and focal lengths for the QR code, and for scanning the hologram.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a drawing provided to explain a method for generating multiple holographic QR codes according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] To generate a multi-holographic QR code, first, an original 3D QR code containing desired information is generated (S110). The original 3D QR code generated in step S110 is exemplified in FIG. 3. As shown, the original 3D QR code is configured with different depths in parts.

[0034] Specifically, the 3D QR code exemplified in FIG. 3 has three levels of depth as shown in FIG. 4. For instance, the QR code layer of the first level of depth is at a depth of 0 cm, i.e., the surface; the QR code layer of the second level of depth is at a depth of 10 cm; and the QR code layer of the third level of depth is at a depth of 20 cm. Meanwhile, the depth of the 3D QR code in FIG. 3 and 4 is implemented in three levels, but this is merely illustrative. It is, of course, possible to implement the depth of the 3D QR code in two levels or four or more levels.

[0035] Next, the original 3D QR code generated in step S110 is divided into multiple sub-QR codes having different depths (S120). Step S120 corresponds to the process of generating multiple sub-QR codes by dividing the original 3D QR code into parts having the same depth.

[0036] Figure 5 shows the result of dividing the original 3D QR code into multiple sub-QR codes according to depth in step S120. As illustrated, the sub-QR codes correspond to 2D codes because they consist of parts with the same depth. However, the sub-QR codes do not necessarily have to be continuous planes and may consist of discontinuous planes, as shown in the second sub-QR code in Figure 5. As will be described later, the sub-QR codes are recorded on a holographic recording medium (200), and when recorded, they will be recorded to have different depths as shown in Figure 6.

[0037] Subsequently, the sub-QR codes divided in step S120 are arranged so that they are displayed in different directions (S130). This is to ensure that when the sub-QR codes are recorded on the holographic recording medium (200), they are displayed in different directions with different depths, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0038] Then, the sub-QR codes arranged through step S130 are combined to generate a multi-3D QR code (S140). Since the sub-QR codes constituting the multi-3D QR code generated in step S140 have different depths and are displayed in different directions, they can be scanned at different focal lengths from different viewpoints.

[0039] In the next step S140, the multiple 3D QR code generated is generated as a CGH (Computer-Generated Hologram) pattern (S150), and the CGH pattern generated in step S150 is recorded on a hologram recording medium (200) (S160). By doing so, a hologram recording medium (200) on which multiple hologram QR codes are recorded can be produced.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a multi-hologram QR code generation system according to another embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the multi-hologram QR code generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a hologram generation device (310) and a hologram printer (320).

[0041] A hologram generating device (310) generates a multi-hologram QR code according to the method presented in steps S110 to S150 of FIG. 2 and generates the generated QR code as a CGH pattern. A hologram printer (320) records the CGH pattern generated by the hologram generating device (310) onto a hologram recording medium (200).

[0042] FIG. 9 is a drawing provided to describe a multi-holographic QR code scanning method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] To scan a multi-holographic QR code, first, a reference beam is applied to a holographic recording medium (200) on which a multi-holographic QR code is recorded using a light source (LED or laser diode light source) to display the multi-holographic QR code as a hologram (S410). The multi-holographic QR code consists of sub-QR codes that are displayed in different directions with different depths.

[0044] Accordingly, the user changes the viewpoint of the smartphone camera, adjusting the focal length of the camera at each viewpoint, and sequentially scans sub-QR codes having a depth at each viewpoint (S420).

[0045] FIG. 10 illustrates the process of sequentially scanning sub-QR codes while sequentially adjusting the viewpoint and focal distance of the smartphone camera (S421, S422, S423). In reality, the focal distance adjustment will be performed by the smartphone camera's autofocus adjustment function, rather than by adjusting the distance between the smartphone and the holographic recording medium (200). In FIG. 10, the distance between the smartphone and the holographic recording medium (200) is depicted as being adjusted for ease of understanding.

[0046] Next, the smartphone combines the sub-QR codes scanned in step S420 to have the corresponding depth and restores them into a single 3D QR code (S430). The 3D QR code restored in step S430 must be identical to the original 3D QR code generated in step S110 of FIG. 2.

[0047] Afterward, the smartphone checks whether the 3D QR code restored in step S430 is in a complete form (S440). A complete form means that all sub-QR codes are included, and an incomplete form means that at least one sub-QR code is missing.

[0048] If the 3D QR code restored in step S430 is not in a complete form (S440-N), the process is repeated starting from step S420. On the other hand, if the 3D QR code restored in step S430 is in a complete form (S440-Y), the smartphone reads the information contained in the QR code (S450) and then provides the service.

[0049] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a multi-holographic QR code scanning system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The multi-holographic QR code scanning system according to another embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a light source (500) and a smartphone (600), as illustrated.

[0050] The light source (500) applies a reference beam to the holographic recording medium (200) to perform step S410 of FIG. 9, thereby displaying a multi-holographic QR code as a hologram. The smartphone (600) sequentially scans and combines sub-QR codes to restore a 3D QR code to perform steps S420 to S450 of FIG. 9.

[0051] So far, multi-holographic QR codes using multiple viewpoints and multiple focal points have been explained in detail.

[0052] In the above embodiment, a multi-holographic QR code with partially different display directions and focal lengths is presented, making it impossible to easily duplicate it like a conventional 2D QR code, and in terms of scanning methods, a unique scanning method combining viewpoint scanning and focus scanning is provided.

[0053] In addition, in the above embodiment, the holographic QR code can be implemented as a 3D QR code using a method other than the holographic method. Furthermore, the technical concept of the present invention can be applied even when implementing a 3D code in a form other than a QR code.

[0054] Meanwhile, it goes without saying that the technical concept of the present invention may also be applied to a computer-readable recording medium containing a computer program that enables the device and method according to the present embodiment to perform their functions. Furthermore, the technical concept according to various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the form of computer-readable code recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium may be any data storage device that can be read by a computer and store data. For example, a computer-readable recording medium may be a ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk drive, etc. Additionally, computer-readable code or a program stored on a computer-readable recording medium may be transmitted through a network connected between computers.

[0055] Furthermore, although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications are possible by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

Claims

1. A step of generating an original 3D code containing specific information; A step of dividing the generated original 3D code into multiple subcodes having different depths; A step of arranging the divided subcodes so that they are displayed in different directions; and A method for generating multiple 3D codes, characterized by including the step of combining arranged subcodes to generate multiple 3D codes.

2. In Claim 1, The subcodes are, A method for generating multiple 3D codes characterized by being 2D codes.

3. In Claim 2, The subcodes are, A multi-3D code generation method characterized by being composed of discontinuous planes in a planar manner.

4. In Claim 2, The subcodes are, A multi-3D code generation method characterized by having different depths and being displayed in different directions, and being scannable at different focal lengths from different viewpoints.

5. In Claim 4, Step of generating multiple 3D codes into a holographic pattern; A method for generating multiple 3D codes, further comprising the step of recording a generated holographic pattern on a holographic recording medium.

6. In Claim 5, A step of scanning subcodes constituting multiple 3D codes displayed as a hologram in a holographic recording medium; and A method for generating multiple 3D codes, characterized by further including the step of combining scanned subcodes to have a corresponding depth and restoring them into a single 3D code.

7. In Claim 6, The scanning step is, A method for generating multiple 3D codes characterized by sequentially scanning subcodes displayed in different directions while changing the viewpoint of a mobile terminal camera.

8. In Claim 7, The scanning step is, A method for generating multiple 3D codes characterized by scanning subcodes of a corresponding depth while adjusting the focal length of the mobile terminal camera at that point in time.

9. In Claim 1, 3D code is, A method for generating multiple 3D codes characterized by being a 3D QR (Quick Response) code.

10. A hologram generating device that generates an original 3D code containing specific information, divides the generated original 3D code into multiple subcodes having different depths, arranges the divided subcodes so that they are displayed in different directions, combines the arranged subcodes to generate a multiple 3D code, and generates the generated multiple 3D code into a hologram pattern; and A multi-3D code generation system characterized by including a hologram printer that records a hologram pattern generated by a hologram generation device onto a hologram recording medium.

11. A step of displaying multiple 3D codes recorded on a holographic recording medium; A step of scanning subcodes constituting a multi-3D code that has been displayed; and The step of combining scanned subcodes to have the corresponding depth and restoring them into a single 3D code; is included. Multiple 3D codes are, A multi-3D code scanning method characterized by dividing an original 3D code into multiple subcodes having different depths, arranging the divided subcodes so that they are displayed in different directions, and then combining them to generate a result.

12. A light source that irradiates a reference light onto a holographic recording medium to display multiple 3D codes recorded on the holographic recording medium; A mobile terminal that scans subcodes constituting a displayed multiple 3D code and combines the scanned subcodes to have a corresponding depth to restore them into a single 3D code; Multiple 3D codes are, A multi-3D code scanning system characterized by dividing an original 3D code into multiple subcodes having different depths, arranging the divided subcodes so that they are displayed in different directions, and then combining them to generate a result.

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