Visual Indicia Encoding for Space-Efficient Physical Content Linking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for linking physical items to virtual content, such as QR codes and NFTs, are limited in interactivity, visual appeal, and overall value, and occupy significant space on the physical items, preventing additional information or aesthetic enhancement.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses visual indicia, such as emojis, filters, and borders applied to physical items to encode unique identifiers for virtual content, allowing users to access augmented reality, NFTs, and other media through smartphone cameras, with a networked computing environment that includes a server for encoding, binding, printing, and recognition processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If QR codes are used to link physical items to virtual content, then the connection functionality is achieved, but the space occupied on the physical item increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual indicia that replicate the aesthetic appearance of the original physical item while encoding linkage information. Instead of adding a separate QR code, the visual indicia serves both as the decorative element and the encoding mechanism, effectively copying the visual function while adding the linkage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the aesthetic function and the linkage encoding function into a single visual element. The visual indicia simultaneously provides visual appeal and encodes the linkage information, eliminating the need for separate QR codes and freeing up space on the physical item.
2Adaptability or versatility
If QR codes are used to link physical items to virtual content, then the connection functionality is achieved, but the visual appeal of the physical item is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicia serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides aesthetic enhancement, encodes linkage information, and can represent various types of virtual content. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate aesthetic elements and QR codes, maintaining visual appeal while achieving connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes various visual properties including color, patterns, and graphical transformations to create the visual indicia. These visual variations enable encoding of linkage information while maintaining or enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the physical item.
3Loss of information
If traditional indicia are used for encoding, then the linkage information is provided, but the interactivity and user engagement are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicia can be configured in various dynamic ways including different positions, orientations, and compositions of graphical elements. This dynamic configurability enables the encoding of diverse linkage information while providing different visual experiences that enhance user engagement and interactivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A physical object is printed with an image that is augmented with an arrangement of visual indicia. Properties of the visual indicia such as size, shape, color, orientation, and size encode an identifier of supplemental virtual content. When the physical object is scanned by a camera of a device, the encoded identifier of supplemental content is extracted from the visual indicia and used to retrieve the supplemental content. The supplemental content is presented by the device.