Code for containers, products or documents, and products, containers or documents provided with the code

Abstract

The present invention relates to a code (1), in turn comprising a first code (Q1) and a second code (Q2), wherein the first code (Q1) is square and the length of its side is a, and the second code (Q2) is rectangular, the length of one of its sides being b and the length of its other side being c, so that a > b and a ≥ c. The first code (Q1) is arranged adjacent to the second code (Q2) on the side of length c of the second code (Q2), and the second code (Q2) is aligned on one of its sides of length b with another side of the first code (Q1). The invention further relates to a product, container or document provided with the composite code.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] CODE FOR CONTAINERS, PRODUCTS OR DOCUMENTS AND PRODUCTS, CONTAINERS OR DOCUMENTS PROVIDED WITH THE CODE

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0004] The present invention relates to codes for packaging, products or documents or visual supports intended to facilitate access to information, especially for people with visual disabilities.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] Barcodes are currently the most widespread system for labeling products. There are multiple barcode formats, but they generally occupy a rectangular space with a clearly horizontal orientation, as the information is distributed linearly.

[0007] The EAN13, the most widely used barcode, can be used as a reference. This system uses 13 digits in what is known as the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), which is the product's global identifier. This standard is also known by other names, such as JAN (Japanese Article Numbering), which has the same specification but uses the first numbers to identify the region of Japan.

[0008] The UPC (Universal Product Code) can also be mentioned; it's a very similar code, but with 12 digits, and is used more in the US, Canadian, UK, New Zealand, and other markets. In all cases, specific sizes are defined for the barcode (for example, the basic EAN13 is 37.29 x 25.91 mm), but always maintaining the same aspect ratio (in EAN13, a rectangle with a width 1.44 times its height).

[0009] The Global Product Identification Number (GTIN) is becoming increasingly insufficient in many applications, as it lacks essential information such as the batch number and expiration date for fresh produce, or the serial number for traceability purposes. Consequently, the current trend is to use denser markers to incorporate this information. One example is GS1 Digital Link, a new standard developed by GS1 that integrates various types of information with the GTIN, such as the manufacturer's website, expiration date, and serial number, in the form of a URL. To contain all this information, the standard proposes different types of dense markers, specifically QR codes and Data Matrix codes. These two-dimensional markers are therefore positioned as future replacements for barcodes.

[0010] This change has many implications throughout the entire product chain, from the manufacturer to the reading of these new codes by distributors, warehouses, retailers, and end users, since laser scanners were previously used and now devices equipped with digital cameras must be used. However, it is equally beneficial for everyone involved, as it greatly improves product traceability and provides a wealth of information to the end user.

[0011] However, people with visual impairments cannot benefit from this change, since reading a dense code like QR or Data Matrix requires framing it at a certain distance and keeping the camera stationary. In other words, it's necessary to know the code's location to scan it. To overcome this problem, there are codes that wrap around any dense code (in this case, QR or Data Matrix) to locate it while moving and at long distances, as shown in Figure 15. In both cases, the dense code thickens in both dimensions due to the placement of the locator code. Finally, there are alternatives that use a long-range square code placed on one side of the dense code to locate it [SideTags patent, see Figure 16], so that the combination of the two markers occupies an area that is twice as wide as it is high.

[0012] Unlike barcodes, which are rectangular, dense QR and Datamatrix markers (the main markers used to house the GS1 Digital Link) always occupy a square area. This means that when the transition to dense codes occurs, product designers will have to redesign their products to accommodate the new shape.

[0013] In this description, a consumer product is defined as any physical product that can be purchased by a consumer, and especially those that can be displayed or sold in stores, on shelves, racks, or counters. Therefore, it includes, among others, food products, drugstore items, personal hygiene products, and medicines, and in general any product with visible surfaces that can bear printed or adhesive codes. It may also include clothing, leisure products, sporting goods, etc.

[0014] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] To overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, a first aspect of the present invention proposes a code, composed in turn of a first code and a second code, the first code having associated with a first maximum reading distance by a camera and a first information density, the second code having associated with a second maximum reading distance by the camera and a second information density, and in which:

[0016] - the first maximum distance is less than the second maximum distance; and

[0017] - the first information density is greater than the second information density, characterized in that the first code is square and the length of its side is a, the second code is rectangular, the length of one of its sides being by and the length of its other side being c, so that a > bya > c, the first code being arranged adjacent to the second code by the side of length c of the second code, the second code being aligned by one of its sides of length b with another side of the first code.

[0018] In some realizations the rectangle that inscribes the two codes has a proportion between its sides (a+b) / a between 3 / 2 and 7 / 4.

[0019] In some realizations the rectangle c = a.

[0020] In some realizations the rectangle a > c.

[0021] In some embodiments the code comprises a third code or image arranged below the second code and adjacent to the first code so that it is inscribed in the rectangle that inscribes the two codes.

[0022] In some embodiments, the code consists of two adjacent codes comprising an outer frame, allowing them to overlap on the side of the frame corresponding to the adjacent side. This allows for adjusting the degree of overlap to better define the area occupied by the code. In some embodiments, the second code contains information regarding the relative position of the first code with respect to the second code. This is a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, as it allows for achieving the technical effect described in WO2023194638, by the same inventors.

[0023] In some implementations, the second code is composed of squares of four different colors, preferably Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.

[0024] In some implementations, the second code is composed of squares of two colors of different shades or of white squares and black squares.

[0025] In some implementations, the first code is a QR code, a Data Matrix code, a barcode, a MaxiCode code, a PDF417 code, or an Aztec code.

[0026] The invention also relates to a real or virtual product, container or document comprising a code according to any of the variants of the invention.

[0027] Finally, the invention also relates to a procedure for extracting information contained in a code from a mobile terminal equipped with a camera, the code, according to any embodiment of the invention, comprising the following steps:

[0028] a) with the camera positioned at a distance greater than the first maximum distance and less than the second maximum distance, detect and read the second visible code; b) extract from the geometry of the second visible code information relating to the relative position of the first visible code with respect to the second visible code, regardless of the class or composition of the first visible code;

[0029] c) Based on this information, frame the image region in which the first visible code is located.

[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] To complement the description and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with some examples of practical embodiments of the invention, a set of figures is included as an integral part of the description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0032] Figures 1 to 5 show five different embodiments of a code according to embodiments of the invention in which the two codes occupy the entire rectangular surface of the composite code.

[0033] Figures 6 to 11 show five different embodiments of a code according to embodiments of the invention in which the entire rectangular surface of the composite code is not occupied and which allow more space on the product or packaging to be used for additional information, which may consist of a third code or images.

[0034] Figure 12 shows a system according to the invention.

[0035] Figures 13 and 14 show two containers provided with codes according to the invention.

[0036] Figures 15 and 16 show known techniques for making dense codes accessible.

[0037] DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The description of the possible preferred embodiments of the invention requires providing numerous details to facilitate a better understanding of the invention. Even so, it will be apparent to someone skilled in the art that the invention can be implemented without these specific details. Furthermore, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the invention relates to a code 1, composed in turn of a first code Q1 and a second code Q2, the first code Q1 having associated with a first maximum reading distance L1 by a camera CA and a first information density D1, the second code Q2 having associated with a second maximum reading distance L2 by the camera CA and a second information density D2, and in which:

[0040] - the first maximum distance L1 is less than the second maximum distance L2; and - the first information density D1 is greater than the second information density D2,

[0041] and wherein the first code Q1 is square and the length of its side is a, the second code Q2 is rectangular, the length of one of its sides being by and the length of its other side being c, such that a > bya > c, the first code Q1 being arranged adjacent to the second code Q2 by the side of length c of the second code Q2, the second code Q2 being aligned by one of its sides of length b with another side of the first code Q1.

[0042] As shown in the figures, the rectangle that inscribes the two codes Q1, Q2 has a proportion between its sides a+b / a between 3 / 2 and 7 / 4.

[0043] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, c = a.

[0044] In other embodiments, shown in figures 6 to 11 a > c.

[0045] In these realizations, a third code Q3 or image I3 can be provided, arranged below the second code Q2 and adjacent to the first code Q1, so that it is inscribed in the rectangle that inscribes the two codes Q1, Q2.

[0046] Preferably, the second code Q2 contains information about the relative position of the first code Q1 with respect to the second code Q2.

[0047] As can be seen in the examples in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the second code Q2 is composed of four different colors C1, C2, C3, C4, preferably Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.

[0048] In other embodiments, such as those in figures 2 and 5, the second code Q2 is composed of squares of two colors of different shades or of white squares and black squares.

[0049] Figures 7 and 8 show a product comprising a code in which a > b.

[0050] The code according to the invention is intended to be used in a procedure for extracting the information contained in a code 1 according to any of the variants of the invention from a mobile terminal TM provided with a camera AC, comprising the steps of: a) with the camera AC arranged at a distance greater than the first maximum distance L1 and less than the second maximum distance L2, detecting and reading the second visible code Q2;

[0051] b) extract from the geometry of the second visible code Q2 information relating to the relative position of the first visible code Q1 with respect to the second visible code Q2, regardless of the class or composition of the first visible code Q1;

[0052] c) Based on this information, frame the image region in which the first visible code Q1 is located.

[0053] In summary, the invention proposes a long-range rectangular code that, placed on one side of the dense code, allows it to be easily located and read, and at the same time fits into the remaining space when replacing the barcode with the dense code.

[0054] By using a rectangular code instead of a square one, its size can be adjusted to approximate the overall aspect ratio that best matches the barcode. This achieves a dual purpose: firstly, it makes the dense code accessible and opens up new possibilities for the visually impaired user community. Secondly, the added code is formed using the space between the rectangular shape of the barcode and the square shape of the dense code, so it doesn't alter the scale of the dense code and simplifies the conversion to these new codes for manufacturers by avoiding modifications to the product design.

[0055] Impact on the surface area occupied on the product, packaging, or document

[0056] An essential objective of the present invention is the optimization of the space occupied by the code in the products or packaging in which it will be incorporated, which can be estimated by the additional percentage of surface it occupies with respect to a square QR code, which would correspond, if we refer to figures 1 or 6, to a.

[0057] Firstly, if compared with already known solutions from the same applicant, it is highlighted that the realizations based on the double code of figure 15 involve an additional surface area of ​​100 to 115%.

[0058] With regard to the present invention, if the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is considered, the additional percentage is 66%. If the embodiment shown in Figure 1, which has a narrower rectangle, is considered, the additional percentage of occupation is 60%.

[0059] In contrast, for the realizations of figures 6 and 7 the additional percentage is considerably reduced, being only 12% for the realization of figure 6 and 17% for the realization of figure 7.

[0060] In view of this description and figures, the expert in the field will be able to understand that the invention has been described according to some preferred embodiments thereof, but that multiple variations can be introduced in said preferred embodiments, without departing from the object of the invention as claimed.

[0061] In this text, the term "comprises" and its derivatives (such as "comprehending," etc.) should not be understood in an exclusive sense. That is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include more elements, stages, etc.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Code (1), composed in turn of a first code (Q1) and a second code (Q2), the first code (Q1) having associated with it a first maximum reading distance (L1) by a camera (CA) and a first information density (D1), the second code (Q2) having associated with it a second maximum reading distance (L2) by the camera (CA) and a second information density (D2), and in which: - the first maximum distance (L1) is less than the second maximum distance (L2); and - the first information density (D1) is greater than the second information density (D2), characterized in that the first code (Q1) is square and the length of its side is a, the second code (Q2) is rectangular, the length of one of its sides being by and the length of its other side being c, such that a > bya > c, the first code (Q1) being arranged adjacent to the second code (Q2) by the side of length c of the second code (Q2), the second code (Q2) being aligned by one of its sides of length b with another side of the first code (Q1). 2.- Code (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rectangle that inscribes the two codes (Q1, Q2) has a ratio between its sides (a+b) / a between 3 / 2 and 7 / 4. 3.- Code (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein c = a. 4.- Code (1) according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein a > c. 5.- Code (1) according to claim 4, comprising a third code (Q3) or image (I3) arranged under the second code (Q2) and adjacent to the first code (Q1) so that it is inscribed in the rectangle that inscribes the two codes (Q1, Q2). 6.- Code according to any of the preceding claims, comprising two adjacent codes comprising an outer frame, so that they can overlap on the side of the frame corresponding to the adjacent side.

7. Any code of the preceding claims, wherein the second code (Q2) contains information relating to the relative position of the first code (Q1) with respect to to the second code (Q2).

8. Any code of the preceding claims, wherein the second code (Q2) is composed of four different colors (C1, C2, C3, C4), preferably Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.

9. Any code of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second code (Q2) is composed of squares of two colors of different shades or of white squares and black squares. 10.- Code according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first code (Q1) is a QR code, a Data Matrix code, a barcode, a MaxiCode code, a PDF417 code or an Aztec code. 11.- Product or container (2) comprising a code according to any of claims 1 to 10.

12. Printed document comprising a code according to any of claims 1 to 10.

13. Virtual document comprising a code according to any of claims 1 to 10.

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