GB2539715A

GB2539715A - Two-dimensional code

Info

Publication number: GB2539715A
Application number: GB1511277.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sabeur Boujelben
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-06-26
Filing date: 2015-06-26
Publication date: 2016-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2035-06-26
Also published as: GB201511277D0; GB2539715B

Abstract

The invention relates to a multilayered, two-dimensional code allowing for the generation of a number of different codes by varying the assembly of individual code-forming units 100 with respect to their place in a given plane 112 and their orientation relative to that plane. The code-forming units have at least one axis of symmetry (A,B), and could be in the shape of a cuboid or block. Positioning symbols 110,111 are also provided on the code-forming units. Coded information contained in each of the different codes or fractions thereof are recognizable by object recognition via a regular mobile device such as a phone. Claims are also included for a method of generating the code and for a robot for assembling the code.

Description

Two-dimensional code The present invention relates to a multi-layered two-dimensional code, which is optically readable.

Related Art It is known to provide optically readable codes for inputting information into a computer. More particularly, it is known to provide codes for regulation of access to personal information, or for fraud protection. Such codes are known to comprise cells representing code, e.g. a binary code, or data placed on a two-dimensional matrix so as to form a coded pattern.

Summary of the Invention, Object, Solution, Advantages It is the object of the present invention to provide for a multilayered, two-dimensional code allowing for the generation of a number of different codes by varying the assembly of individual code forming units with respect to their place in a given plane and their orientation relative to that plane. Additionally, coded information contained in each of the different codes or fractions thereof recognizable by object recognition via a regular mobile device adds an additional layer of complexity.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a multilayered, two-dimensional code, which comprises a plurality of congruently shaped code-forming units for generating the two-dimensional code. The code of the invention is "multilayered" in that multiple levels, "layers", of coded information are present in a single two-dimensional assembly, wherein an additional, e.g. a second, layer of information may be read out as a new code as a result of a substantially small alteration of the immediately preceding layer of code, e.g. the first layer. In theory, an unlimited number of layers of code may thus be created by applying substantially small alterations to that layer of code, which is read out as code preceding the layer read out subsequently. An alteration of a subsequent layer is considered "substantially small" in the context of the invention if it encompasses not more than 1-20% of the surface area of the preceding layer, preferably not more than 1-15%, and most preferred not more than 1-10%. The term "congruent" herein refers to the individual units' quality of corresponding to each other such that the assembled units form a gapless code.

Each individual code-forming unit is formed with n (n= 1, 2, 3, ....) faces and each one of the n faces of each individual code-forming unit carries information representing a fraction of one of n (n= 1, 2, 3, ....) codes. The term "face" in the context of an individual code forming unit refers to a continuous surface of said unit uninterrupted by edges or borders, which is adapted to bearing information representing a fraction of a code. Thus, a cuboid code forming unit has six faces, all of which may be bear information representing a code or fraction thereof; each face could bear different information. A flat rectangular code forming unit in the context of the invention would bear information representing a code or a fraction thereof only on those surfaces ("faces") which would accommodate code which is visible to a human observer. Therefore, these code forming units would be considered of having n=2 faces; similarly, as an example, a frustum of pyramid of an equally flat appearance also has two faces adapted to their information representing a code or a fraction thereof. Preferably, the n faces are different in order to generate n different codes from the assembled individual code forming units. Thus, a specific code is generated by assembling the individual code forming units having the same orientation of their nth face (e.g. with respect to the code assembly means); accordingly, a different code is generated by assembling the individual code forming units when e.g. their (n-1)1" faces are oriented alike. The fractions of code present on the n faces of the individual code forming units may be of any kind, preferably they are chosen such that the assembled code results in a graphical pattern recognizable by a human, for example, the graphical pattern may be a picture, a structure or an ornamental design.

Each individual code forming unit has at least one axis of symmetry. In the context of the present invention, the term "axis of symmetry" preferably refers to symmetry with respect to reflection.

For the assembly of the code, code-assembly means are provided which comprise positioning information for orienting the code in a plane. Code assembly means may be arranged as physical or virtual code assembly means, corresponding to the code forming units, which likewise may be assembled either virtually (e.g. on a computer) or physically. The purpose of the code assembly means is to define a plane in which the two-dimensional code may be assembled starting from individual code forming units bearing positioning information. Thus, code assembly means are not limited to any particular form or shape, as long as a two-dimensional plane is defined. Code assembly means may be formed with a coordinate system defining points of orientation in a plane, such that the user can position the code forming unit in the plane with accuracy. It is preferred if code assembly means are divided into gridded substructures, such as quadrants, octants or other comparable sectorial divisions, in order to allow for precise positioning of the individual code forming units.

On each individual code forming unit, at least a first and a second positioning symbol are arranged at predetermined positions. Additional positioning symbols may be arranged on each individual code forming units or on selected code forming units. Each of said positioning symbols comprises a code which represents positioning information readable by scanning means. Coded information may be present in form of a visual marker (e.g. as a barcode or a OR code) or as electronic marker (e.g. RFID) or the like. Preferably, the code's information content is stored in form of an optical identifier, which additionally could be personalized in that it could be accessed only by specific user. In the case of optical identifiers, accordingly, the term "scanning means" refers to any electronic device capable of translating optical impulses into electrical ones, e.g. a regular barcode scanner with a light source, a lens, a light sensor and a decoder, or a camera, such as a camera of a cell phone or a smart phone, or a conventional reading pen. The positioning information read out by scanning means is displayed to the user of the code by display means, i.e. by a (text) message, or a voice or a sound recording or any other kind of user -feedback means. The first positioning symbol on each unit determines the placement of the unit in the plane defined by the code-assembly means; in the case of rectangular code assembly means, e.g. an individual code forming unit may be assigned to one of the quadrants into which the code assembly means may be structured. The second positioning symbol on each unit determines the orientation of one of the n faces on each individual code forming unit with respect to said code assembly means. For example, if a code forming unit is formed with two faces, a first face and a second face, and the first face is oriented towards the code assembly means (face down), the second face will be oriented away from the code assembly means (face up), thereby being visible to a user of the code. In the case of code forming units being provided with n>2 number of faces, e.g. n=6 faces for cube shape code forming units, the second positioning symbol additionally contains information about the number of the respective face.

Each of the n codes or a fraction thereof comprises additional coded information recognizable by object recognition via a mobile device. In the above example of code forming units being formed with two faces, two different codes are provided after assembly. Within each of these two codes or within a respective fraction thereof, the additional coded information recognizable by object recognition via a mobile device is comprised, thereby adding a level of complexity to the code. As explained above, the multiple layers result from a substantially small alteration of one given layer of the code, giving rise to a subsequent layer containing different coded information.

Advantageously, the user of the code has to arrange the individual units prior to being able to read the code. A higher degree of encoding is possible, since code forming units have to be arranged according to positioning information, which in turn is encoded as well. Moreover, the code forming units are used for the generation of at least two codes, as mentioned above, namely a first code, being present on the first face of the individual units and a second code, being present on the second face of the individual units; the first and the second code of fractions thereof, in turn, comprise additionally coded information, rendering the encoding system more complex. The code of the present invention may be a physical code, involving individual code forming units and to be manipulated on physical code assembly means by the user. It also may be entirely virtual, as explained above, wherein the manipulation of code forming units is performed on any appropriate electronic device. In sum, the two-dimensional, multilayered code of the present invention offers the advantage of being scalable (by varying the number of individual code forming units and/or the number of faces on each individual code forming units) and offering multiple checks during code assembly (by making the assembly of the code dependent on specific positioning information provided on individual code forming units).

In a preferred implementation, the code comprised in the positioning symbols is one of a small size optical identification signal commonly used in optical identification (01D) technology, such as a barcode or OR code. As mentioned above, the term "scanning means" herein refers to any electronic device capable of translating optical impulses into electrical ones. Preferably, scanning means are adapted to scan the small size optical identification signals commonly used in optical identification (01D) technology.

Depending on the size of the faces of the individual code forming units, the surface area of a single positioning symbol is preferably smaller at least an order of magnitude than the overall surface area of an individual code forming unit's each individual face. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the surface area of a single positioning symbol to the surface area of an individual code forming unit's individual face on which it is arranged is in the range of 1:10 to 1:10000, especially preferred the ratio is in the range of 1:100 to 1: 1000. It is preferred that the code comprised in the positioning symbol is substantially invisible to the eye; conventional OID readers such as OID reader pens may therefore be used as scanning means. With the surface area of positioning symbols being small relative to the surface area of an individual face of the individual code forming unit, they do not interfere, advantageously, with the information representing a fraction of an individual code present on the individual face of the individual code forming unit. In the case of code forming units to be physically manipulated having n=2 faces, is also conceivable to place positioning symbols on those surfaces/faces of each individual unit which do not bear information representing code or a fraction thereof. For example, it is possible to place very small positioning symbols at predetermined positions on the side surface of substantially flat rectangular code forming units. In this case, interference of the positioning information with the code information is excluded at large.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the individual code forming unit may be formed with a first and a second face only. Accordingly, each one of the two faces of each individual code-forming unit carries information representing a fraction of one of two codes. Depending on the number of individual code forming units, a code of considerable complexity may be generated, while at the same time, individual code forming units may be designed and manufactured easily and in a time efficient manner, relying on readily available techniques and tools. Additional complexity may be generated by a combination of the first code and the second code, being present on the respective first and second face of each individual code forming unit.

In another implementation of the two-dimensional code, the at least first and the second positioning symbols may be located on a first face of each individual code-forming unit. While the dependence of the positioning of each individual code forming on specific positioning information adds desirable complexity to the code, the presence on the same face is advantageous with respect to the speed of assembly of the code, particular in the case where individual code forming units have to be manipulated physically. Especially with multi-faced individual code forming units, speed of assembly will be increased if positioning symbols are placed on the same face, such that information concerning position within the plane on the code assembly means and relative orientation of each individual code forming unit with respect to its relevant face can be read out almost simultaneously.

In a further implementation of the two-dimensional code according to the invention, the code-assembly means may be a mesh arranged such as to accommodate at least transiently a part of each individual code-forming unit; preferably, the mesh is made from a malleable material. By means of a transient accommodation, which is to be understood as a transient affixing of an individual code forming unit to the code assembly means, individual code forming units may be manipulated easily in the case of physical manipulation by the user. This is particularly advantageous at later stages of code assembly and in the case of error correction in a completely assembled code. In the case where each code forming unit bears multiple faces (i.e. n>2, with code forming units exhibiting more complex shapes, e.g. cubes or polyhedrals), it is advantageous to affix transiently the individual unit to the code assembly means during manipulation, for example, in the course of the process of determination which face is being oriented towards code assembly means.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for generating a two-dimensional code from individual code forming units as described above, using code assembly means. The method involves in a first step the reading in by using scanning means code representing positioning information from each of the positioning symbols on an individual code forming unit. Preferably, scanning means are adapted to scan the small size optical identification signals commonly used in optical identification (01D) technology. In a second step b, an individual code forming unit, whose positioning information has been read in, is arranged on the code assembly means according to said positioning information. In particular, the respective unit is arranged within the plane defined by the code assembly means at that specified position defined by at least the first positioning information; further, the specified face of the n faces of the individual code forming unit is oriented according to the second positioning information. Positioning information is conveyed to the user of the code by display means, preferably comprising visual and/or acoustical display. In a third step c, the assembled code or a fraction thereof is read out using scanning means, preferably a mobile device; the result of step c is subsequently conveyed to the user using the display means mentioned above.

In a preferred implementation of the method, the assembled code is rearranged subsequent to the execution of the step d, whereby the kind of rearrangement is specified as a result of the readout in step c. By rearranging the assembled code different information is generated. Rearrangement may be achieved by changing the face of an individual code forming unit, i.e. changing the n-face to the (n-1) face by turning the individual unit. Alternatively or additionally, units may be switched with respect to their position on the code assembly means. After rearrangement, another scanning operation for reading out is performed via a mobile device.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to a robot for assembling the multilayered, two-dimensional code according to the invention. In the context of the invention, the term "robot" refers to an automatically controlled, programmable manipulator which is programmable in three or more axes. The robot of the invention comprises a multi-linked manipulator which is formed with an end effector in the form of a grip assembly comprising at least a suction cup and a pair of forceps, wherein the suction cup and forceps serve to lift and turn individual code forming units. Furthermore, the multi-linked manipulator is arranged with an image pickup device, such as a digital camera. The image pickup device is adapted to read in the code representing positioning information on each individual code forming unit as well as the reading in of information representing a fraction of a code present on an individual face of each individual could forming unit. The robot further comprises a programmable controller operatively associated with the manipulator, wherein the controller is directing and monitoring the manipulator's operating cycle. Additionally, the robot comprises computing means, which are adapted to perform the decoding of the code representing positioning information, thereby providing information with respect to placement and face of each individual code forming unit. Computing means are further adapted to compute the affinity between neighboring code forming units based on the readings of the fractions of code present on each of the n faces of each individual could forming unit. Affinity between neighbors may be computed, for example, using compatibility functions, a variety of which are well-known in the art.

The results of the positional decoding and the affinity computation are conveyed to the controller. The computing means are adapted to segment correctly assembled parts of the code as well as to compute instructions for shifting regions or parts of the code in order to produce the correctly assembled code. In the case of a code to be assembled virtually, computing means are adapted to compute instructions for putting the grip assembly into a resting state.

Brief Description of the Figures

These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The specific implementations thereby serve as examples and are not limiting the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of three individual code forming units arranged on code assembly means formed as a mesh.

Fig. 2 shows schematically an individual code forming unit having n=6 faces with two positioning symbols arranged on code assembly means formed as a mesh.

Description of the preferred embodiment

Referring to Fig. 1, three code forming units (100) in the form of flat rectangles are depicted, a lower left unit, a middle unit and a lower right unit. Each code forming unit has six faces (101-106; 102, 105, 106 not visible), wherein two faces (101, 102, not visible) are adapted to bear information representing a code or a fraction thereof (depicted schematically), which is easily visible to the human eye. Each code forming unit has two axes of symmetry (dashed lines A-A, B-B). Two positioning symbols (110, 111) are placed on the first face (101) of each unit. Positioning symbols are read out by a regular scanning operation using an optical reader, such as an optical reader pen (not depicted); positioning information is conveyed to the user by display means adapted to convey (text) messages and/or voice recording's or any other kind of feedback means. As the code forming units are intended to be manipulated physically in order to generate a two-dimensional code, physical code assembly means (112) are provided in form of a mesh structure. The mesh is arranged such as to allow for interaction of each individual code forming unit or a part thereof with its substructures. In the present case, the mesh is formed such that each code forming unit comes to rest in a rectangular subsection (solid lines) of the mesh, wherein each subsection is divided into four quadrants (thin lines), overlaid by a reinforced center cross (113). Upon complete assembly, the center of each rectangular code forming unit is located over each center cross. Hence, two of the units depicted in Fig.1 would have to be replaced; the lower left unit would have to be moved obliquely towards e.g. the left lower corner. Correspondingly, the middle unit would have to be moved downwards or upwards towards the nearby upper or lower center cross (113). For interaction with the mesh, any one of the corners of a code forming unit placed on the center cross area of the mesh may be pressed towards the mesh, thereby tilting the respective corner of the unit in order to engage an opposing corner of the mesh. The code forming unit may then be lifted on the opposite corner in order to be turned or repositioned.

The code or a fraction thereof may be read out after assembly by a mobile device, such as a smart phone or a tablet PC, wherein the mobile device is adapted to use and analyze the digital information connected to the code. In particular, the mobile device is adapted to perform markerless object recognition by processing multiple camera images per second using any kind of algorithm adapted to detect and describe local features in images, such as SIFT, and feature matching. The result of the object recognition analysis is conveyed to the user, e.g. by displaying a text/pictorial message or a voice recording on said mobile device. An additional layer of code may be created by the user by rearranging a fraction of the first layer, i.e. by turning a defined number of code forming units e.g. to a different one of their respective n faces, said rearrangement being the result of the preceding object recognition analysis and its extent being conveyed to the user by displaying appropriate instructions on the mobile device. While the code of the invention may be implemented as a virtual code or a physical code, it is preferred to implement it in form of a physical code, comprising flat, rectangular physical code forming units. The code may be implemented in the form of a puzzle game, in which the user is required to think in terms of spatial relationships, to make decisions depending on the information conveyed by the positioning symbols and to perform the rearrangements required to elicit additional layers of code to be read in by any kind of regular mobile device. The code may be assembled by a single or multiple users.

Referring to Fig. 2, three code forming units (200) in the form of cubes are depicted. Each code forming unit has six faces (201-206), wherein all six faces (201-205; 206: not visible) are adapted to bear information representing a code or a fraction thereof. Two positioning symbols (210, 211) are placed on the each of the different faces of each unit, wherein the second positioning symbol, determining the orientation of the respective faces towards the code assembly means, additionally contains information regarding the number (n= 1, 2, 3....) of the face on the individual code forming unit. Code assembly means (112), again, are formed as a mesh structure. The mesh is arranged such as to allow for interaction of each individual code forming unit or a part thereof with its substructures. As in Fig. 1, the mesh is formed such that each code forming unit comes to rest in a rectangular subsection (solid lines) of the mesh, wherein each subsection is divided into four quadrants (thin lines), overlaid by a reinforced center cross (113). Upon complete assembly, the center of each cube shaped code forming unit is located over each center cross.

List of reference numbers rectangular code forming units 101-106 respective face of rectangular code forming unit first positioning symbol 111 second positioning symbol 112 code assembly means 113 center cross cube-shaped code forming units 201-206 respective face of rectangular code forming unit 210 first positioning symbol 211 second positioning symbol

Claims

Claims 1 A multilayered, two-dimensional code comprising: a plurality of congruently shaped code-forming units for generating the two-dimensional code, wherein each individual code-forming unit is formed with n (n= 1, 2, 3, ....) faces, wherein each one of the n faces of each individual code-forming unit carries information representing a fraction of one of n (n= 1, 2, 3, ....) codes, wherein said each individual code-forming unit has at least one axis of symmetry, and wherein at least a first and a second positioning symbol are arranged on each individual code-forming unit at predetermined positions, and code-assembly means, wherein said code-assembly means are provided with positioning information for orienting the code in a plane, characterized in that each of said positioning symbols comprises a code representing positioning information readable by scanning means, wherein the first positioning symbol on each unit determines the placement of said unit in said plane defined by said code-assembly means, and wherein the second positioning symbol on each unit determines the orientation of one of the n faces on each individual code forming unit with respect to said code assembly means, wherein positioning information is conveyed to the user by display means, and in that each of the n codes or a fraction thereof comprises additional coded information recognizable by object recognition via a mobile device.
2. The two-dimensional code according to claim 1, wherein the code comprised in the positioning symbols is a small size optical identification signal.
3. The two-dimensional code according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of the surface area of a single positioning symbol to the surface area of an individual code forming unit's individual face on which it is arranged is in the range of 1: 10 to 1:1000.
4. The two-dimensional code according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each individual code forming unit is formed with a first and a second face only.
5. The two-dimensional code according to claim 1, wherein the at least first and second positioning symbols are located on a first face of each individual code-forming unit.
6. The two-dimensional code according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the said code-assembly means are a mesh arranged such as to accommodate at least transiently a part of each individual code-forming unit.
7 Method for generating a two-dimensional code according to claim 1, comprising the steps (a) reading in by using scanning means a code representing positioning information from each of the positioning symbols on an individual code forming unit, (b) arranging an individual code forming unit whose positioning information has been read in on the code assembly means for generating the two-dimensional code, (c) reading out the assembled code or a fraction thereof using a mobile device, and (d) conveying the results of the reading out to the user.
8. Method for generating a two-dimensional code according to claim 7, additionally comprising the step (e) rearranging the assembled code and reading out the reassembled code or a fraction thereof using a mobile device.
9. A robot for assembling the multilayered, two-dimensional code according to claim 1, comprising a programmable multi-linked manipulator formed with a grip assembly, said grip assembly comprising at least a suction cup and a pair of forceps, and an image pickup device, said image pickup device being adapted to read in the code representing positioning information on each individual code forming unit and to read in information representing a fraction of a code present on an individual face of each individual could forming unit; a programmable controller operatively associated with said manipulator; said controller directing and monitoring the manipulator's operating cycle, computing means, wherein the computing means are adapted to perform the decoding of the code representing positioning information, to compute the affinity between neighboring code forming units, and to convey results of said decoding and said affinity computation to said programmable controller.