Visual Marker Layout for Unambiguous Orientation and Data Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visual markers, such as barcodes and QR codes, lack the ability to efficiently convey orientation and information using a single design, leading to ambiguity and inefficiencies in data encoding and decoding.
Innovation Solution
Visual markers are designed with multiple markings arranged in various shapes, utilizing gaps and colors to indicate orientation and encode data, allowing for unambiguous decoding of orientation and information conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional barcodes or QR codes are used, then the design is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to convey orientation and information is limited and ambiguous
Solution Approach 1:
The visual marker is divided into multiple markings (e.g., first marking, second marking, third marking) with different functions. Some markings convey orientation information while others convey data information, allowing the system to simultaneously provide orientation and information without a single complex design
Solution Approach 2:
The visual marker system is designed to perform multiple functions: indicating orientation and conveying information simultaneously. The markings are configured to serve dual purposes, making the overall system more versatile without requiring separate markers for each function
2Loss of information
If multiple markings with gaps and colors are used to indicate orientation and encode data, then the data encoding capacity and orientation determination are improved, but the design and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the visual marker have different properties: some markings use gaps to indicate orientation, others use colors to encode data, and yet others combine both features. This local differentiation allows each part to optimize its function while contributing to the overall information capacity
3Measurement precision
If gaps are positioned to uniquely indicate orientation, then the orientation determination becomes unambiguous, but the design flexibility and ease of manufacture are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gaps in the markings are positioned asymmetrically to create unique orientation patterns. For example, the first marking may have gaps at specific angular positions that differ from the second and third markings, ensuring that only one orientation produces the correct gap alignment pattern for accurate orientation determination
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that provide a visual marker including a plurality of markings arranged in a corresponding plurality of shapes. In some implementations, each marking is formed of a set of sub-markings separated by gaps and arranged according to a respective shape, and the gaps of the plurality of markings are configured to encode data and indicate orientation of the visual marker. In some implementations, the plurality of markings are arranged in a plurality of concentric rings of increasing size. In some implementations, the orientation is encoded in a first set of gaps and data in a second set of gaps of the gaps in the plurality of markings.