Two-Dimensional Code Position Detection Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional two-dimensional codes face challenges in accurate recognition, especially when photographed under varying conditions such as out-of-focus or blurry images, and when multiple codes are recognized simultaneously, due to limitations in position detection pattern design and processing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The proposed two-dimensional code incorporates four or more different position detection patterns with distinct shapes, sizes, and orientations, along with a separation space, to facilitate faster and more accurate recognition, even in deteriorated image conditions, by reducing the number of scanning operations and increasing detection speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If three identical position detection patterns are used for quick analysis, then detection speed is improved, but processing time increases when multiple codes are recognized simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the position detection function into multiple distinct patterns (first, second, third, and fourth position detection patterns) with different shapes, sizes, and orientations. This segmentation allows the system to quickly identify and differentiate between multiple codes simultaneously, reducing the processing time required to verify pattern combinations while maintaining fast detection speed through distinctive pattern characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If multiple position detection patterns are used to improve detection accuracy, then recognition accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition accuracyVSAvoidpattern complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each position detection pattern is designed with distinct local qualities - different shapes (square, rectangular), different sizes, and different orientations. This allows the system to achieve high recognition accuracy through pattern differentiation while keeping the overall device complexity manageable, as each pattern serves a specific detection purpose with its unique characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric design by using position detection patterns with different geometric properties (square vs. rectangular, different orientations). This asymmetry enables the system to distinguish between multiple codes and their orientations accurately, improving recognition precision without requiring complex additional components, as the complexity is embedded in the simple geometric variations of the patterns themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Measurement precision

If scanning of all pixels is performed for position detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidanalysis throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The distinct position detection patterns are designed to be identifiable through their unique geometric characteristics (shape, size, orientation) without requiring exhaustive pixel-by-pixel scanning. The patterns are configured so that their centers can be quickly located and their light-dark ratios determined through targeted scanning, enabling accurate detection while significantly improving analysis throughput by avoiding complete pixel scanning of the entire image.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2921997B1Two-dimensional code
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 KYODO PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP2921997B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2921997B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2921997B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a two-dimensional code which is not likely to be affected by contamination or out-of-focus photographing thereof and can thus be accurately recognized in a short time even when it is photographed under various photographing conditions. The disclosed two-dimensional code comprises: cells representing binary-coded data that are arranged as a pattern in a two-dimensional matrix; and four or more different position detection patterns.