Information Code With Segmented Addition Region

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information codes, such as two-dimensional codes, lack the ability to modify their design regions post-production and cannot easily accommodate new data, requiring the entire code to be re-produced when additional information needs to be added, which is labor-intensive and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A method to produce information codes with a separate information addition region within the code area, allowing additional information to be recorded and used ex-post, using a data acquiring section, arrangement-position-information recording part, and data-recording-region producing section to manage the code structure, and an information code reader with a correspondence information recording part, determining section, and interpreting section to decode both original and additional information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional information needs to be added to an information code, then the code must be re-produced entirely, but this increases labor and time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to add additional informationVSAvoidtime for re-producing code
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The information code is divided into a data recording region and an information addition region. The data recording region contains the original information and cannot be modified, while the information addition region is specifically designed to accommodate additional information. This segmentation allows only the necessary portion (information addition region) to be modified when new data needs to be added, rather than re-producing the entire code.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The information addition region is prepared in advance during the code production process, creating a reserved space specifically for future information addition. This preliminary preparation enables straightforward addition of new information without requiring complete code re-generation, as the structural framework and region boundaries are already established.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the entire information code is re-produced to add new data, then data completeness is maintained, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoidcode production process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The code structure is segmented into immutable data recording region and modifiable information addition region. This segmentation maintains data completeness by preserving the original data recording region intact while allowing flexible addition of new information in the information addition region, thereby simplifying the production process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The information addition region is designed to be dynamic and flexible in size and content, adapting to different information addition needs while the data recording region remains static. This dynamic design simplifies the production process by allowing incremental updates without requiring complete re-production of the entire code structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If an information code producing unit is prepared in advance, then code production capability is ensured, but user burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode production capabilityVSAvoiduser burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The code producing unit is designed to work with segmented code structures, where it can independently manage the information addition region without requiring complete code re-generation. This segmentation reduces user burden by allowing localized modifications rather than requiring users to manage and re-produce entire codes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The information addition region is designed to be self-contained and independently modifiable. When additional information needs to be added, only this specific region needs to be processed by the producing unit, allowing the system to serve itself efficiently without requiring users to prepare or manage the entire code production process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If conventional information codes are used without separate addition regions, then code structure is simple, but flexibility to modify information is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode structure simplicityVSAvoidflexibility to modify information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The code is segmented into data recording region and information addition region with clear boundaries. This segmentation maintains relative structural simplicity while enabling flexible modification of the information addition region, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The information addition region serves multiple functions: it can store various types of additional information, accommodate different data formats, and be modified independently. This multi-functionality is achieved within a relatively simple segmented structure, allowing the code to adapt to diverse information addition requirements without complex restructuring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2937820B1Method of producing an information code, information code and information code reader
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 DENSO WAVE INC
  • EP2937820B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2937820B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2937820B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A two-dimensional information code (100) is provided. Inside the information code, specification Patten regions, a recording region, and an information addition region are arranged. In the specification pattern region, predetermined-shape specification patterns are arranged. Data expressed by a plurality of types of cells are recorded in the data recording region. Additional information, which is different from the data recorded in the data recording region, can be recorded in the information addition region.