Multi-dimensional optical code with static and dynamic lookup data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing barcode technologies, such as QR codes, face limitations in encoding dense information and maintaining readability under occlusions and varying distances, particularly in infrastructure applications like traffic signs, where occlusions and environmental factors can hinder accurate data retrieval.

Innovation Solution

A multi-dimensional machine-readable code system comprising static data (SD) and dynamic lookup data (DLD) optical element sets, where SD is decodable from farther distances and DLD is only decodable closer, with error correction and hierarchical encoding to enhance resilience and information density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a single optical element set encodes all information, then the code can be decoded from any distance, but the information density and readability under occlusion deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation densityVSAvoidreadability under occlusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The code is divided into two separate optical element sets: static data (SD) optical elements that encode immutable information and dynamic lookup data (DLD) optical elements that encode changeable information. This segmentation allows each set to be optimized for its specific function, with SD providing reliable distant readability and DLD providing high information density when viewed up close.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If all data is encoded at high density, then information capacity increases, but the code becomes undecodable from distant positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation capacityVSAvoiddecodable distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the code have different qualities optimized for their specific purposes. The SD optical elements are designed with larger size and simpler patterns for distant decoding, while the DLD optical elements are designed with smaller size and higher density for close-range high-capacity data storage. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between information capacity and decodable distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If error correction is added to enhance resilience, then reliability under occlusion improves, but the space available for information encoding decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresilience to occlusionVSAvoidencoding space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Error correction capabilities are distributed across both the SD and DLD optical element sets rather than requiring a single large correction block. This segmentation allows each set to have its own optimized error correction strategy, maximizing the usable encoding space while maintaining resilience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11250303B2Multi-dimensional optical code with static data and dynamic lookup data optical element sets

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

An article includes a substrate having a physical surface, a multi-dimensional machine-readable code embodied on the physical surface, wherein the multi-dimensional machine-readable optical code includes a static data (SD) optical element set and a dynamic lookup data (DLD) optical element set. Each of the SD and the DLD sets are embodied on the physical surface. The DLD optical element set encodes a look-up value that references dynamically changeable data, wherein the SD optical element set encodes static data that does not reference other data. The DLD optical element set is not decodable at the distance greater than the threshold distance.