QR Measurement Scale Using Image Data Without Field Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measurement systems for outdoor environments, such as those used in hydrology, construction, and leisure activities, require power and infrastructure, are costly and lack energy efficiency, making them impractical in areas with limited communication and power infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A QR code-based measurement apparatus with a fixed background pattern overlaid by a foreground sliding mask, where the relative position of the mask shifts based on measured data, allowing for passive, energy-efficient measurement and data encoding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If traditional measurement systems are used in outdoor environments, then measurement functionality is achieved, but power consumption and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmeasurement functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional electronic measurement systems with a光学-based measurement apparatus that uses optical patterns (QR codes) and image processing to obtain measurement data, eliminating the need for power-consuming electronic sensors and processing units in the field device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy of measurement information through QR code patterns that encode measurement data in a machine-readable format, allowing measurement data to be captured and transmitted without active electronic components at the measurement site

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If traditional measurement systems are deployed, then accurate measurement is achieved, but cost and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidinfrastructure requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent encodes measurement data into QR code patterns that can be read by standard mobile device cameras, replacing complex electronic measurement and communication infrastructure with simple optical encoding that uses existing ubiquitous devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement apparatus uses standard QR code technology that can be read by any smartphone or mobile device with a camera, making the system universally compatible and eliminating the need for specialized reading equipment or infrastructure

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

3Use of energy by moving object

If passive measurement without power is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but measurement data generation capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement data generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-encodes multiple measurement values into the QR code pattern structure, allowing the passive apparatus to provide measurement data for multiple conditions without requiring active processing or power consumption at the time of measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate processing step where mobile device software captures the QR code image and performs the measurement data extraction and interpretation, separating the passive data storage function from the active data processing function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4214627B1Generating measurement data using image data
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • EP4214627B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4214627B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4214627B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for determining information based on a received image. The method includes one or more processors receiving image data from a computing device. The method further includes one or more processors identifying an object included in the received image data. The method further includes one or more processors determining a value that corresponds to the identified object included in the received image data. The method further includes one or more processors determining whether the determined value corresponds to a defined action. Another aspect of the present invention discloses an apparatus that includes a foreground label overlaying a background label, and a measurement device coupled to the foreground label. The measurement device is capable of movement in response to observing measurement data.