2D Code Border Patterns for Data Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing two-dimensional codes face challenges in distinguishing the code region from the background while minimizing the number of cells allocated to non-data areas, leading to reduced data capacity and increased complexity in defining the code region during reading.

Innovation Solution

A two-dimensional code design featuring specific patterns at corners and borders, where error-correction or compressed data code blocks are strategically placed along borders different from the pattern borders, allowing for efficient distinction from the background and maximizing data capacity by minimizing non-data cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If specific patterns are arranged along all four sides of the rectangular code region to distinguish it from the background, then the distinction between code region and background is improved, but the number of cells allocated to data is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistinction between code region and backgroundVSAvoidnumber of cells allocated to data
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The code region border is segmented into two types: first borders with specific patterns for distinction and second borders without specific patterns. This segmentation allows only necessary borders to consume cells, preserving data capacity while maintaining code region identifiability through the presence of at least one first border with a recognizable pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing specific patterns along all four borders (excessive action), the invention applies specific patterns only to selected borders (partial action). The code region can be fully identified by having specific patterns on just one or some borders, rather than requiring all borders to have patterns, thus reducing cell consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Manufacturing precision

If a large number of cells are allocated to specific patterns for defining the code region, then the code region definition is improved, but the data capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode region definition accuracyVSAvoiddata capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The border structure is segmented into first borders containing specific patterns for accurate definition and second borders without specific patterns. This segmentation ensures that only the minimum necessary borders consume cells, achieving adequate definition accuracy while maximizing the remaining cells available for data storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of pattern distribution from uniform (all borders have patterns) to non-uniform (only selected borders have patterns). This parameter change reduces the total cell consumption for border definition while maintaining the code region's definability through the presence of patterns on critical borders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If mask patterns are superposed over data to suppress consecutive white and black cells, then the distinction from background is improved, but the complexity of code structure is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistinction from backgroundVSAvoidcode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the background distinction function from the data area and relocates it to the border area. Instead of modifying data cells with mask patterns, the distinction capability is taken out and implemented through specific patterns on selected borders, simplifying the overall code structure while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The border with specific patterns acts as an intermediary element that provides background distinction without requiring modification of the data cells. This intermediary border structure achieves the distinction function while keeping the data area simple and unmodified, reducing overall code structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2677471B1Two-dimensional code having rectangular region provided with specific patterns to specify cell positions and distinction from background
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 DENSO WAVE INC
  • EP2677471B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2677471B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2677471B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A two-dimensional code having a rectangular region is provided. In the rectangular region, there are code blocks composed of a plurality of cells, a first specific pattern specifying the positions of the cells, and a second specific pattern separating the code blocks from a background of the code. The first specific pattern is located at a specified corner of the rectangular region. The second specific pattern is located along one or more of first borders along which the first specific pattern is located, the first borders being part of the borders of the rectangular region. The code blocks include error-correction code blocks, which are located along second borders which are different from a border of the borders along which the second specific pattern is located. The second borders are part of the borders. Compressed data code blocks are also arranged in the same way as the error-correction code blocks.