Two-dimensional code with asymmetric position detection patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional two-dimensional codes with multiple position detection patterns face challenges in simultaneous recognition due to variable distances and external shapes, leading to increased analysis time and complexity when recognizing multiple codes in a single image.

Innovation Solution

A two-dimensional code design with fixed distances and varying external shapes for position detection patterns, allowing for easier differentiation between codes, even when multiple codes are photographed together, by maintaining consistent positional relationships and using different shapes to exclude false combinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple position detection patterns are added to improve recognition reliability, then recognition reliability is improved, but the complexity of distinguishing patterns from different codes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition reliabilityVSAvoidpattern distinction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by giving each position detection pattern a unique external shape that is asymmetric relative to its center. Specifically, each pattern has a light region and a dark region with different areas, creating an asymmetric structure. This asymmetric design allows patterns from different codes to be easily distinguished by their shape characteristics, solving the problem of pattern confusion while maintaining multiple patterns for reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making each position detection pattern have a unique local characteristic through its external shape. Each pattern's light and dark region distribution is locally different, creating distinctive shape signatures. This local differentiation enables the system to recognize and distinguish multiple patterns within a single code and across different codes, reducing false matches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the size of the two-dimensional code is modified to match data capacity, then data capacity adaptability is improved, but the distance between position detection patterns becomes variable making analysis difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata capacity adaptabilityVSAvoidanalysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains fixed distances between position detection patterns while allowing code size to vary by changing the amount of data stored in the data region, not by changing pattern spacing. The asymmetric shapes of patterns provide unique identifiers that remain consistent regardless of code size, simplifying analysis while maintaining adaptability to different data capacities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Productivity

If multiple codes are photographed simultaneously to improve work efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the number of candidate combinations increases making analysis time longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric external shapes of position detection patterns serve as unique fingerprints for each pattern. When multiple codes are photographed simultaneously, the analysis system can quickly identify and group patterns belonging to the same code by matching their asymmetric shapes, dramatically reducing the number of candidate combinations and speeding up processing time while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Ease of manufacture

If position detection patterns have the same form to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to distinguish patterns from different codes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpattern distinction difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses asymmetric external shapes for position detection patterns, where each pattern has a unique light and dark region configuration. This asymmetric design maintains relative simplicity in manufacturing (patterns are still binary light/dark regions) while providing distinctive shape characteristics that make pattern distinction straightforward, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and distinction difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3144856B1Two-dimensional code, and two-dimensional-code analysis system
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 KYODO PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP3144856B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3144856B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3144856B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In this rectangular two-dimensional code, data expressed in binary code is divided into cells, and arranged as a two-dimensional matrix-like pattern. The two-dimensional code is characterized by being provided with a rectangular basic pattern section. The two-dimensional code is further characterized in that: the basic pattern section includes a plurality of position detection patterns for specifying cell positions, and version information indicating the size of the two-dimensional code; and the version information is used to enable the size of the two-dimensional code to be variably designed while the distances between the plurality of position detection patterns are in a fixed state.