Multi-scale Visual Marker Encoding Hierarchical Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current visual markers, such as barcodes and QR codes, have limitations in data encoding and decoding efficiency, particularly in terms of power consumption and resolution, as they often require uniform encoding techniques and lack hierarchical detection methods to efficiently decode information at different scales and attributes.

Innovation Solution

The development of multi-scale visual markers that encode data using different appearance attributes such as size, number of markings, contrast, wavelength, and image sensor types, allowing for hierarchical detection and decoding using increasingly higher-resolution images, with separate processing domains to optimize power usage and improve decoding efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If uniform encoding techniques are used in visual markers, then decoding is straightforward, but data encoding capacity and efficiency are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata encoding capacityVSAvoidencoding technique complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The visual marker is divided into multiple sets of markings, each set encoding different data or different aspects of data using different appearance attributes. This segmentation allows the marker to encode more information overall while each individual set remains relatively simple to decode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different appearance attributes (size, number of markings, contrast, wavelength) are applied to different sets of markings within the same visual marker. This local differentiation enables each set to be optimized for specific encoding requirements while maintaining overall marker functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If high-resolution images are used to decode visual markers, then decoding accuracy improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoding accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The decoding process is segmented into hierarchical stages, where different sets of markings are decoded at different resolution levels. Coarse information can be extracted at lower resolutions, reducing the need for full high-resolution processing in all cases and thereby reducing power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system can perform partial decoding at lower resolutions when full accuracy is not required, or when only certain types of information are needed. This allows the system to balance power consumption against decoding accuracy based on specific application requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of information

If multiple appearance attributes are used to encode data, then information density increases, but detection and decoding complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation densityVSAvoiddetection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple sets of markings using different appearance attributes are spatially segmented and can be detected independently. This allows the system to process different attribute types through specialized detection pathways, reducing overall complexity compared to analyzing a single complex encoding scheme

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The visual marker system is designed to be multi-functional, where a single marker can convey different types of information through different appearance attributes. This universal design allows one marker to serve multiple purposes without requiring multiple separate markers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Use of energy by moving object

If hierarchical cascaded processing is implemented, then power efficiency improves, but processing time may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hierarchical cascaded processing structure performs preliminary detection and decoding at lower resolution levels before proceeding to higher resolution levels. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly identify obvious features or reject non-matching markers without investing full processing resources, thereby reducing both power consumption and average processing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11755854B2Visual marker

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 APPLE INC

AI summary

Various implementations disclosed herein include multi-scale visual markers that convey information in multiple sets of markings using different respective appearance attributes. In some implementations, the appearance attribute of the markings of a first set of markings corresponds to a first encoding parameter and the appearance attribute of markings of a second set of markings corresponds to a second encoding parameter different from the first encoding parameter. In some implementations, the first set of markings encode first data and the second set of markings are different than the first set of markings and encode second data. In some implementations, the different appearance attributes are different scales (e.g., different sizes, different numbers of markings per unit of space, different contrast, different color characteristics, different wavelengths, different image sensor types, etc.).