Two-Dimensional Code Free Space Design for Customization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing two-dimensional code technologies face restrictions in creating design regions due to conformity with error correction codes and setting multiple gray levels, limiting the ease of securing free space within the code area.

Innovation Solution

A method to create a free space outside the specification pattern region within the code area, allowing data recording and design display using a technique different from that used in the data recording region, thereby reducing restrictions and enhancing user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If design data are combined with the unique two-dimensional code to form a design region, then the code can be customized with designs, but there are more restrictions for producing the code due to conformity with error correction codes and setting multiple gray levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign customizationVSAvoidproduction restrictions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The code area is segmented into three distinct regions: specification pattern region, data recording region, and free space. This segmentation allows the free space to be used for design purposes without interfering with the error correction codes and data recording requirements, thereby reducing production restrictions while maintaining design customization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design functionality is extracted from the data recording region and placed into a separate free space region. This extraction removes the conflict between design requirements and error correction code conformity, allowing designs to be implemented without compromising code integrity or increasing production complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If the code area is fully utilized for data recording, then data storage capacity is maximized, but no free space remains for design display or alternative data recording methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storage capacityVSAvoidfree space availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the code area are assigned different functions: the specification pattern region for positioning, the data recording region for data storage, and the free space for design display or alternative data recording. This local differentiation allows the code to maintain high data storage capacity while providing dedicated space for design and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple gray levels are used to create design regions, then design flexibility is improved, but conformity with error correction codes becomes more difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoiderror correction conformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The code structure employs asymmetric allocation of the code area into distinct functional regions. The free space region is specifically designated for design purposes where multiple gray levels can be used without affecting error correction conformity, while the data recording region maintains the precise binary structure required for error correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2940628B1Information code, information code generation method, information code reader device, and information code usage system
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 DENSO WAVE INC
  • EP2940628B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2940628B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2940628B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A two-dimensional information code (100) is provided. In the code area of this information code, there are formed a specification pattern region in which predetermined-shape specification patterns (104), such as position detecting patterns, are arranged, a data recording region in which data are recorded using plural types of cells (102), and an error-correction code recording region in which error correction codes are arranged using the plural types of cells (102). In the code area, a free space (110) is formed at a position located outside the specification pattern region, the data recording region, and the error-correction code recording region. Data are not recorded by cells in the free space and error correction on the error correction codes is not applied to the free space. The free space has a size larger in area than a single cell (102).