Bar code, bar code reader and coffee machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional barcodes, especially 2D barcodes, face challenges in alignment due to their small size and require large frame buffers for accurate decoding, which increases the complexity and size of barcode readers and coffee machines.
Innovation Solution
A barcode system featuring a code region with bright and dark points surrounded by a closed boundary region, allowing for decoding based on color, intensity, or the relationship between these points, without relying on a large frame buffer, enabling easy alignment and decoding using an image sensor and processing circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large frame buffer is used to align 2D barcodes, then alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment function from the frame buffer by introducing a separate alignment mark structure. The alignment marks are positioned around the barcode and provide reference points that enable accurate alignment without requiring a large frame buffer to store and process alignment data.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment marks serve as an intermediary element between the barcode and the frame buffer. These marks provide visual reference points that facilitate alignment during the scanning process, eliminating the need for complex frame buffer operations while maintaining alignment accuracy.
2Area of moving object
If the barcode size is reduced, then space efficiency is improved, but alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the barcode system into distinct functional components: the compact barcode itself and separate alignment marks positioned around it. This segmentation allows the barcode to be small while the alignment marks provide sufficient visual reference for easy alignment, solving the contradiction between size reduction and alignment ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment marks are positioned in the spatial dimension around the barcode (above, below, left, right), rather than within the barcode area. This dimensional arrangement allows the barcode to be minimized while alignment functionality is maintained through the surrounding marks, effectively resolving the size vs. alignment ease contradiction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for efficient alignment and decoding of barcodes without the need for a large frame buffer, simplifying the design of barcode readers and coffee machines, and enhancing their functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor, configured to optically sense a sensed image
Data Source
AI summary
A barcode, comprising: a code region, comprising at least bright point and a dark point, comprising code information; and a boundary region, formed as a closed shape surrounding the code region. A decoding direction of the code region is not relative to the boundary region. The code information is represented by at least one of: a color sequence, an intensity sequence and a relation between the bright point and the dark point. The present invention also provides a barcode processing system which can process the barcode to generate a control command, and provides a coffee machine using the barcode processing system. The barcode can be easily aligned by a closed boundary region, without using a frame buffer with a large size.