Asymmetric Coding Pattern for Fast Orientation and Error Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current two-dimensional codes, such as QR and DM codes, have limitations in data capacity and error correction, while codes like AprilTag and ArUco face challenges in scalability and decoding efficiency due to their design and decoding mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

An encoded graph with a specific asymmetric distribution configuration of positioning blocks is used, allowing for accurate and rapid positioning, direction determination, and error correction, replacing traditional two-dimensional code standards to enhance data reading efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If QR code or DM code is used with high error correction performance, then error correction capability is improved, but code size increases and data capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror correction capabilityVSAvoidcode size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by using an asymmetric distribution configuration for the four positioning blocks within the square code structure. Specifically, three positioning blocks are placed at three corners of the square, while the fourth positioning block is positioned at a non-corner location, creating an asymmetric pattern that enables direction determination and improves decoding efficiency without increasing overall code size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The code structure is segmented into distinct functional regions: four positioning blocks for positioning and direction determination, and a data region for storing encoded information. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each region's function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If AprilTag or ArUco code is used with template matching decoding, then decoding accuracy is improved, but decoding time increases linearly with number of codewords

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoding accuracyVSAvoiddecoding time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric positioning block configuration provides unique directional information that eliminates the need for template matching. The decoder can directly determine orientation from the asymmetric pattern, reducing decoding complexity from linear to constant time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning blocks are pre-configured in an asymmetric pattern that encodes directional information, allowing the decoder to determine orientation immediately upon detecting the positioning blocks, without requiring subsequent template matching operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If symmetric positioning blocks are used in two-dimensional code, then positioning accuracy is improved, but direction determination becomes ambiguous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddirection determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the direction determination ambiguity by introducing asymmetry in the positioning block configuration. While three blocks remain at corners for stable positioning, the fourth block's non-corner position creates a unique asymmetric pattern that encodes directional information, allowing unambiguous orientation detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3996283B1Coding pattern, coding and reading methods for same, calibration board, and calibration method
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 HANGZHOU HIKROBOT TECH CO LTD
  • EP3996283B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~3A
  • EP3996283B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~5
  • EP3996283B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present application discloses a coding pattern, coding and reading methods for the same, a calibration board, and a calibration method. In the present application, the coding pattern comprises four positioning blocks, wherein three of the positioning blocks are located at three corner portions of the coding pattern, and the remaining positioning block only contacts one edge of the coding pattern, thereby forming an asymmetrical distribution configuration of the four positioning blocks. The invention can replace a two-dimensional code standard in the related art, saving the licensing and manufacturing costs of using two-dimensional code generation software in the related art, and is not subject to usage restrictions of the two-dimensional code generation software in the related art. The invention enables accurate and fast positioning of the coding pattern, facilitates quick discovery of an initial coding block position in a coding region, and allows a customizable size of the coding pattern and a customizable size of a coding region in the coding pattern according to a data volume of an application scenario, thereby providing flexibility in configuring data information recorded in the coding pattern. In addition, coding of the coding region is simple, thereby improving efficiency.