Information Code with Teacher Code Area for Color Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information codes composed of colored cells with two or more colors similar in hue face challenges in accurate color identification due to environmental factors, print quality, and color fading over time.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a teacher code area with cells matching the colors and number of information cells, placed either outside or inside the information code area, to facilitate accurate color identification of the information cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If an information code uses two or more colors similar in hue to increase information density, then the information storage capacity is improved, but the color identification accuracy deteriorates under varying light environments, print conditions, and aging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation storage capacityVSAvoidcolor identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a teacher code area containing teacher cells with known colors as an intermediary reference system. This mediator allows the reading device to calibrate and identify the colors of information cells by comparing them against the teacher cells, thereby resolving the color identification accuracy problem while maintaining high information density through similar-hue colors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of color identification from direct absolute color measurement to relative color comparison. By comparing the colors of information cells against the teacher cells under the same imaging conditions, the system adapts to varying light environments, print conditions, and aging effects, maintaining accurate color identification despite environmental variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a finder code portion is used to obtain the number of colors and cell information, then the structure organization is improved, but the color calibration capability is insufficient for accurate color identification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure organizationVSAvoidcolor calibration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information code into distinct functional areas: a finder code portion for obtaining structural information (number of colors, cell dimensions) and a teacher code area for color calibration. This segmentation allows each portion to specialize in its function, with the teacher cells providing dedicated color reference information that the finder code alone cannot provide

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The teacher code area is prepared in advance with teacher cells having known colors that match the information cells. This preliminary preparation of color reference information enables the reading device to perform accurate color calibration before reading the actual information, ensuring color identification accuracy without adding complex real-time calibration mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12265864B2Information code, information code generation device, information code readout device, program, and information code utilization system

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 VARIETY M 1 INC

AI summary

The information code has an information code area constituted of colored information cells with two or more colors, the information code area having the specific information recorded using the information cells as information units, and a teacher code area having teacher cells with the same colors and the same number of colors as the information cells so as to identify the colors of the information cells. In the information code, the teacher code area is placed away from the information code area or inside the information code area.