Variable Height Bar Code Encoding for Dual-Mode Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 1-dimensional bar codes have limited information capacity and are not easily adaptable to encode additional data without requiring widespread replacement of scanners, as changes in encoding can be unreadable by existing monochrome scanners.
Innovation Solution
Encoding additional data in a second dimension within a conventional 1-dimensional bar code by varying the height of dark bars, allowing 2-dimensional scanners to read the extra data while maintaining backward compatibility with 1-dimensional scanners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If new bar code symbologies are used to encode more information, then the information capacity is improved, but the compatibility with existing scanners deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by adding a vertical dimension to the traditional horizontal bar code structure. Instead of encoding more information by changing the width or using new symbols, the invention varies the height of bars at different vertical positions within the same horizontal space. This allows 2-D encoding while maintaining the basic 1-D structure that existing scanners can read, thus resolving the contradiction between information capacity and scanner compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by embedding additional encoded data within the existing bar code structure. The secondary encoded data is nested inside the primary bar code pattern, using the vertical space between bars. This allows multiple layers of information to coexist within a single bar code, increasing information capacity without requiring replacement of existing scanners.
2Loss of information
If color printing is used to encode additional information, then the information capacity is improved, but the printing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by utilizing the vertical height dimension of bars instead of introducing color. By varying bar heights at different vertical positions, the system encodes additional information using only monochrome printing, thus avoiding the increased printing costs and complexity associated with color printing while still achieving enhanced information capacity.
3Ease of manufacture
If monochrome printing is used for legacy bar codes, then the printing simplicity is maintained, but the ability to encode additional information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing a vertical dimension to the bar code structure. This allows monochrome printing to encode additional information by varying bar heights vertically, thereby maintaining printing simplicity while significantly increasing information capacity beyond what traditional horizontal bar codes can store.
Data Source
AI summary
An additional layer of encoding is provided using conventional one-dimensional (“1-D”) bar code symbology. Dark bars of at least 2 heights are used (where the dark bars may be narrow or wide, and may be separated by a space that is narrow or wide) for 2-dimensional (“2-D”) encoding. Whereas the width of the dark bars is significant in the 1-D encoding, the height of the dark bars is significant for the 2-D encoding. In one approach, dark bars of a shortest height are used for encoding conventional 1-D data, while dark bars of other heights encode additional data in a 2-D portion of a bar code. In another approach, consecutive dark bars are used in combination, according to a mapping which correlates the various combinations of bar heights to respective characters. The 2-D encoding rules may be proprietary, providing a type of data privacy.