2D Symbology Encoding Using Segmented Binary Line Symbols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current two-dimensional symbologies are not flexible in terms of spatial, size, or layout and are not human-recognizable without decoding, limiting their utility in conveying information directly to humans.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for encoding and decoding data using a series of data symbols representing a binary string, where each symbol is a line segment with 0-bits and 1-bits represented by different shapes, allowing for flexible spatial and layout arrangements and human recognition, using a starting and ending indicator and connector pairs to segment and decode the data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid spatial, size, and layout requirements are imposed on 2D symbologies, then decoding reliability is improved, but adaptability and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the 2D symbology into multiple segments or zones, allowing different portions to serve different functions. This segmentation enables the symbology to maintain structured decoding paths while adapting to various spatial configurations and layouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements that allow the symbology structure to adapt to different spatial requirements. The system can adjust its configuration while maintaining decodability, enabling flexibility in size and layout without compromising reliability.
2Loss of information
If complex encoding schemes are used to increase data capacity, then information density is improved, but ease of detection and measurement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual characteristics to different parts of the symbology. Certain regions use patterns optimized for machine decoding while other regions incorporate human-readable elements, allowing both high information density and human recognizability in different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary visual elements that bridge between machine-readable complex patterns and human-readable simple patterns. These intermediaries facilitate both high data capacity and human recognizability by providing transition zones between different encoding densities.
3Measurement precision
If traditional 2D symbology structures are used, then decoding accuracy is improved, but human recognizability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric designs where the left or right portions of the symbology differ in their visual characteristics. This asymmetry allows one side to be optimized for machine decoding accuracy while the other side incorporates human-readable patterns, resolving the contradiction between decoding precision and human recognizability.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of techniques for encoding data in a 2D symbology are disclosed. In one example described herein, a computer-implemented method comprises capturing an image of the 2D symbology. The 2D symbology comprises a series of data symbols representing a binary string. Each of the data symbols comprises a line segment, and each data symbol in the series of data symbols are positioned in an end-to-end orientation starting at a starting indicator designated by a first symbol and ending at an ending indicator designated by a second symbol. The first symbol differs from the second symbol, and the series of data symbols comprise 0-bit symbols represented by a first data symbol and 1-bit symbols represented by a second data symbol. The method further comprises extracting the binary string from the 2D symbology by reading each of the data symbols between the starting indicator and the ending indicator.