Barcode Reader App Contextualizing Multiple Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional barcode reader applications are unable to recognize and decode multiple barcodes captured in the same image or video stream in real-time, and fail to provide contextual interaction based on the decoded information.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a mobile computing device with a barcode reader application to capture, decode, and analyze multiple barcodes in an image or video stream, providing contextual information and instructions by evaluating metrics such as distance, orientation, and angle between barcodes, and accessing supplementary data from a datastore to trigger user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional barcode reader applications read a single code at one time, then the device complexity remains low and operation is simple, but the ability to recognize and decode multiple barcodes in real-time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the barcode recognition process into distinct stages: image capture, barcode detection, barcode decoding, and contextual information provision. By dividing the complex task of multiple barcode processing into manageable segments, the system achieves real-time multi-barcode capability without overwhelming system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing the captured image to detect barcode locations and orientations before decoding. This preliminary detection phase prepares the data structure for efficient parallel decoding of multiple barcodes, improving overall processing speed while maintaining organized system architecture
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple barcodes are decoded in real-time from the same image, then contextual interaction capability is improved, but the processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where the barcode detection phase automatically identifies and locates all barcodes in the image, and the decoding phase autonomously processes each detected barcode. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual intervention or sequential processing, enabling real-time multi-barcode handling with minimal processing overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the detection and decoding operations into a unified processing pipeline that handles multiple barcodes simultaneously. By combining these functions into an integrated system that processes all barcodes in parallel rather than sequentially, the system achieves real-time performance while providing comprehensive contextual interaction capabilities
3Ease of operation
If contextual information is provided based on multiple decoded barcodes, then user interaction quality is improved, but the system requires access to additional datastores and processing resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal datastore structure that can handle multiple types of contextual information (product details, assembly instructions, positioning data) through a single unified access interface. This multi-functional datastore design allows the system to provide diverse contextual interactions without requiring separate data storage and access mechanisms for each type of information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the barcode decoding process and the information provision system. This intermediary component aggregates decoded barcode data, queries the appropriate datastore, and returns contextual information in a standardized format. The intermediary simplifies the overall system architecture by mediating between multiple barcodes and the complex datastore structures, making the system easier to operate despite the underlying complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for contextualizing barcode content data includes a mobile device obtaining images containing one or more barcodes, decoding at least one of the barcodes to determine its content, determining a metric magnitude quantifying a measurable relationship between at least one decoded barcode and the imaging device, comparing the metric magnitude to a predetermined condition, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, then accessing a respective barcode specific information data record based on respective barcode content, and providing at least one of contextual information and contextual instruction to the mobile computing device, via one or more forms of multi-modal communication (e.g., visual display, audio notification, tactile stimulus, etc.). Determining a distance between at least two barcodes in the image, and displaying a message based on the distance. A system configured to implement the method and a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions for a processor to perform the method are also disclosed.