WO2007107533A2 - Dispositif et procédé d'accès de contenu par code barre - Google Patents

Dispositif et procédé d'accès de contenu par code barre Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007107533A2
WO2007107533A2 PCT/EP2007/052544 EP2007052544W WO2007107533A2 WO 2007107533 A2 WO2007107533 A2 WO 2007107533A2 EP 2007052544 W EP2007052544 W EP 2007052544W WO 2007107533 A2 WO2007107533 A2 WO 2007107533A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
information
pixel
barcode
pixels
outer frame
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PCT/EP2007/052544
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English (en)
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WO2007107533A3 (fr
Inventor
Robin Maass
Andres Meyer
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Connvision Ag
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Application filed by Connvision Ag filed Critical Connvision Ag
Publication of WO2007107533A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007107533A2/fr
Publication of WO2007107533A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007107533A3/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/06009—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code with optically detectable marking
    • G06K19/06037—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code with optically detectable marking multi-dimensional coding
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/06009—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code with optically detectable marking
    • G06K19/06046—Constructional details
    • G06K19/06131—Constructional details the marking comprising a target pattern, e.g. for indicating the center of the bar code or for helping a bar code reader to properly orient the scanner or to retrieve the bar code inside of an image
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K2019/06215—Aspects not covered by other subgroups
    • G06K2019/06262—Aspects not covered by other subgroups with target- or other orientation-indicating feature

Definitions

  • the present invention lies in the field of information and labeling technology, respectively providing access to information e.g. stored in form of machine-readable representation of information in a visual format or in a computer database.
  • Maxicode which was created by United Parcel Service (UPS), uses dots displayed on a hexagonal grid instead of bars and is used e.g. for tracking and sorting of packages.
  • the Maxi- Code symbol appears as a 1 inch square, with a bullseye in the middle, surrounded by a pattern of hexagonal dots. It can store about 95 characters of information, and up to 8 MaxiCode symbols can be chained together to convey more data.
  • the centered symmetrical bullseye is useful in locating the symbol regardless of orientation, and it allows MaxiCode symbols to be located even on a package traveling on a rapidly moving belt.
  • the Maxicode symbology was created in 1 992 and was made public-domain.
  • US4874936 filed in 1 988 and assigned to U PS, describes an optic-readable label for storing encoded information.
  • the label comprises a multiplicity of information-encoded hexagons contiguously arranged in a honeycomb pattern having at least two different optical properties.
  • PDF41 7 is a matrix code used in a variety of applications such as transportation, identification cards or inventory systems. PDF41 7 was designed to store and transfer a relatively large amount of data and is therefore suited for cases where information needs to move with an item or document. PDF417 format was developed by Symbol Technologies. A PDF41 7 barcode consists in general of several rows, each of which is like a small linear barcode.
  • Datamatrix is a further example of a matrix-type barcode comprising black and white dots, which represent bits and are arranged on a square or rectangular pattern.
  • a datamatrix barcode in general comprises an outer frame consisting of two solid lines arranged perpendicular to each other along two adjacent outer edges of a datamatrix barcode and two broken borders arranged opposite to the two solid lines. The solid and the broken lines are forming a square inside which the information is stored directly adjacent and interconnected to the solid and the broken lines.
  • the information to be encoded can be text or raw data whereby the usual data size is from a few bytes up to 2 kilobytes. The length of the encoded data depends on the symbol dimension.
  • Error correction codes are added to increase symbol strength such that even when partial damage occurs the information can still be retrieved.
  • Datamatrix was originally invented by RVSl Acuity CiMatrix which is today owned by Sie- mens (see http://www.rvsi.net). Data Matrix was released to the public domain through AIM (Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility) and is covered by ISO/IEC1 6022.
  • Semacode is a trade name for a machine-readable grid-type barcode consisting of black and white dots. Semacode is aimed to be used with cellular phones with cameras to quickly ob- tain a web site address.
  • the Semacode specification is open and based on the ISO/IEC 1 6022 Datamatrix standard.
  • Pixecode is a further example where a datamatrix-type barcode is used as printed image which e.g. a mobile camera phone can scan in and link to a relevant Internet or WAP site.
  • a datamatrix-type barcode is used as printed image which e.g. a mobile camera phone can scan in and link to a relevant Internet or WAP site.
  • a machine- readable representation of information in a visual format on a surface e.g. in the form of a barcode
  • decode the barcode data and send the decoded barcode data to a server, where the information stored in a database is identified.
  • EP0832453B1 and EP1 622077A1 are both directed to a system and a method for using identification codes found on ordinary articles of commerce to access remote computers on a network.
  • a computer is provided having a database that relates Uniform Product Code (UPC) num-
  • a user To access an Internet resource relating to a particular product, a user enters a product's UPC symbol manually, e.g. by swiping a barcode reader over the UPC symbol or via other suitable input means. The database retrieves the URL corresponding to the UPC code. This location information in then used to access the desired resource.
  • US6993573, assigned to Neomedia Technologies Inc. was published in 2005 and describes a cellular telephone having an embedded or attachable camera and wireless internet access capabilities. The cellular phone is adapted to take an image of a barcode symbol and then automatically retrieve related web content by a so called information server.
  • the idea 5 consists in providing a user of a cellular phone with a built in camera with value-added functionality with information in that by taking a picture of a barcode on a product information of the product such as prices or further information is obtained.
  • a method to make such a tag comprises the following steps: a) Create the barcode; b) Select an area of the data section to be erased (picture area), whereby the picture area must be small enough that the data can be recovered from the i s symbol using error correction to fill in the erased data; c) In place arbitrary visual information in the picture area (e.g. logo, picture, text).
  • a) Create the barcode a data matrix (ISO/I EC 1 6022) with a size of 24x24 modules. Erase the central 4x4 area (erase 1 6 modules). Place an image of a heart in the middle. The visual identity of the barcode is now "love" and would identify the data contents which would be romantic in nature.
  • the two dimensional/matrix barcodes in general barcodes
  • PDAs personal digital assistants
  • a disadvantage of the barcodes known from the prior art consists in that the known barcodes are, due to their appearance, difficult to identify and to distinguish. Furthermore the known barcodes do not offer the possibility to provide an attractive design which is nice and balanced to look at and if appropriate combinable with further information, e.g. a picture of a product or a companies logo.
  • One embodiment of a barcode according to the present invention in general comprises an outer frame surrounding an area with a pattern of dots (pixels) comprising stored information.
  • the pixels comprising the information may be arranged at a certain distance from the outer frame. Thereby results a first gap between the outer frame and the pixels comprising the information.
  • the outer frame normally serves as a targeting means to locate the barcode-tag on a flat or curved surface, e.g. of a printed product, such as a magazine or a news-paper, or a label of a product, or a display of an electronic device,
  • a printed product such as a magazine or a news-paper
  • a label of a product or a display of an electronic device
  • the outer frame represents an advanced locating and targeting means easily distin- guishable in a challenging environment, e.g. surrounded by printed letters or pictures. Therefore robust and fast location is possible.
  • the pixels may be arranged along the outer frame leaving an empty, pixel-free area inside the outer frame which may result in an improvement of the detection algorithm and in overall faster detection and information retrieval.
  • the pixel-free area in the center or along at least one edge of the outer frame.
  • the area can have different shapes and is normally surrounded by pixels carrying information along at least one edge.
  • detection of location and information retrieval is in general started from the outside (outer frame) and progresses to the centre of the barcode, it is even possible to arrange further information in the pixel-free area such as a logo (e.g. of a company) or any other useful information.
  • the information stored in the pixels may comprise specific information about the shape and the location of the pixel-free area.
  • Pixels representing logical "1 " are e.g. hexagonal dots of uniform dark color and pixels representing logical "O" may be represented by a thin outer line surrounding an area of lighter color.
  • a barcode according to the present invention comprises a pattern of hexadecimal pixels which are arranged in a honeycomb-like manner with respect to each other.
  • the hexadecimal pixels may be spaced apart with respect to each other by a small second gap having preferably a constant thickness.
  • the width of the second gap constitutes of 5% to 10% of the smallest diameter of a pixel.
  • the pixels may be spaced apart by a first gap from the outer frame which surrounds the pixels continuously.
  • the first gap between the hexadecimal pixels and the surrounding outer frame varies with respect to the diameter of a pixel normally between 0.5 and 2. Other dimensions may be appropriate.
  • the outer frame may have different de- signs depending on the field of application.
  • the outer frame has an in general rectangular shape
  • the outer frame may in general be round and in a third embodiment the outer frame may have a hexagonal shape.
  • the outer frame may be in contact with the array of pixels carrying the information or spaced apart of them.
  • the outer frame normally consists of a closed solid line and has an in general square shape.
  • the thickness of the outer frame amounts in general to 0.5 to 2, the diameter of a normal pixel.
  • information from a tag according to the present invention is retrieved by processing a single image or one or more frames of a video stream from a camera.
  • the picture is normally converted into grayscale and then into black and white in a single go.
  • the tag comprises at least one edge region (corner) of the outer frame, a comer pixel silhouetted against the background and thereby identifiable by a secant method.
  • two equidistant points which are interconnected by an imaginary line, are moving along the outer frame.
  • the imaginary line temporarily runs as a secant across the first gap between the outer frame and the pixel patter.
  • the corner pixel is arranged such that when the secant line reaches its innermost position while moving along the outer frame it touches a corner pixel. This can be identified by analysis of the distribution of the intensity along the secant: When the secant is moving, e.g. along a straight segment of the outer frame, the middle point of the imaginary line also lies on the outer frame.
  • the tag comprises an outer frame having an in general rectangular shape with a corner pixel in each of the four corners. The remaining pixels are arranged on a pattern span between the four corner pixels.
  • the (first) middle point on the (first) imaginary line span by the two equidistant points moving on the outer frame, is interconnected by a second imaginary line to a second middle point arranged on the outer frame in the middle between the two equidistant points. If a corner pixel is reached can then be determined in a very robust and cost efficient manner in that the status of a third middle point arranged in is the middle of the second imaginary line is compared to the status of the first middle point. A corner pixel is reached when the first middle point indicates logical "1 " (black) and the third middle point indicates logical "O" (white).
  • each corner pixel is in general relevant to determine the distortion of the pixel pattern. Distortion normally occurs when the camera is
  • this information is included in pixels adjacent to a corner pixel, e.g. in an initialization header. Thereby it becomes possible to adjustably determine the size of the pixel free area in a range of e.g. 20% to 80% of the size of the tag.
  • An embodiment of a barcode comprises an outer frame having an in general hexagonal shape. This outer frame may suit as a targeting means and/or a means to determine orientation of the barcode.
  • the barcode may comprise a pixel free area inside the outer frame comprising further information such as a logo.
  • the pixels carrying information may have a hexagonal shape. Depending on the field of application the pixels may be arranged at a distance from the outer frame.
  • Embodiments of the barcode according to the herein disclosed invention are, as mentioned above, preferably designed to be used in connection with mobile devices.
  • the barcode is designed such that it may comprise information about what type of information it contains.
  • the tag comprises a phone number and/or an LJRL and/or the type of protocol to be used, such as e.g. ftp, http, pop3, smtp telnet, tls/ssl, wap, sms, mms (further protocols may be appropriate), and/or the type of service, such as e.g. Bluetooth, wlan (further services may be appropriate).
  • a detection procedure to detect a tag in general comprises the following steps: a) Identifying the location of an image of the tag in an image by detecting and localizing the outer frame of the tag;
  • a computer program product to retrieve a tag according to the present invention may be implemented in any suitable programming language. Good results are achieved in that the steps according to the above described method are implemented by the programming language C.
  • the described method offers the opportunity to retrieve information in real time from the frames of a video stream e.g. retrieved from a cellular phone camera having only a limited resolution.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to a barcode to store machine readable information in visual form.
  • the barcode comprises a targeting means, a pattern of pixels comprising stored information and a pixel-free area whereby the barcode comprises information about the size and/or the shape of the pixel-free area,
  • a further embodiment of the invention is directed to a barcode to store machine readable information in visual form.
  • the barcode comprises a targeting means, a pattern of pixels comprising stored information and a pixel-free area whereby at least the targeting means or a specific pixel set define an identification means being common to a group of barcodes.
  • Still a further embodiment of the invention is directed a barcode to store machine readable information in visual form comprising a targeting means and a pixel pattern comprising stored information whereby the targeting means and the pixel pattern surround a pixel-free area at least partially. If appropriate the targeting means surrounds the pixel pattern at least partially.
  • the targeting means may be an outer frame along which the pixels of the pixel pattern are arranged at least partially along the inside surrounding the pixel-free area at least partially.
  • the pixels of the pixel pattern may be spaced apart from the outer frame by a first gap.
  • the outer frame may have an in general rectangular shape with corners.
  • the barcode may comprise pixels which are arranged in a corner region of the outer frame to determine location of the pixel pattern.
  • each of the corners of the outer frame comprises a corner pixel and the pixel pattern is spanned in between the corner pixels.
  • the pixel-free pattern may comprise information in form of a company logo and/or a picture and/or text.
  • the pixels of the pixel pattern have an in general hexagonal shape. If appropriate the pixels of the pixel pattern are arranged honeycomb like.
  • a method to retrieve information suitable to be used in connection with a barcode according to the present invention comprises in general the following components:
  • a mobile device comprising in general sending and receiving means, to transmit data e.g. wireless; a central processing unit to execute computer readable code (software), process and transform information received from an input means, such as a camera; an output means, such as a display; a memory means; a power supply means.
  • the mobile device further comprises or is interconnectable to a camera, capable to detect a barcode according to the present invention.
  • a single redirecting server or a cluster of redirecting servers maintained at a provider or several interconnected providers and sub-providers. In an embodiment at least one redirecting server is foreseen to compute a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) out of information received from a mobile device as described above.
  • URL Uniform Resource Locator
  • At least one application server hosting an application such as a content management system (CMS) or a data base driven web server, which is referenced by the information or a part of the information computed or retrieved from the redirecting server.
  • CMS content management system
  • a data base driven web server which is referenced by the information or a part of the information computed or retrieved from the redirecting server.
  • a user operates a mobile device which comprises or is interconnected to a camera.
  • the mobile device holds an executable computer program code (software, respectively software application) in a memory means which causes to mobile device to capture an image of a barcode and to decode the information contained in the barcode.
  • the decoding of the information is preferably executed from frames of a video stream in that the information is retrieved from at least one or a series of pictures of the video stream. Therefore it is important that identification of the barcode and information retrieval takes place in a very time efficient manner.
  • the application When the location and retrieval process is completed the application causes the mobile device to send the retrieved information, if appropriate, along with further information, such as e.g. the application version, identification information of the mobile device and/or a subscriber identification module card (SIM-card) to the redirecting server, preferably in an encrypted format.
  • the Redirecting server identifies/computes from the information retrieved from the mobile device a location or a database entry in a database or refers to a subspace (range of numbers, respectively database locations) in a database on the same or a different server where the information is retrieved.
  • the information retrieved can be in the form of database content which can be processed/displayed by an executable application on the mobile device or it can be a referral to information stored on the same or a different server.
  • a browser application on the mobile device displays the information of an LJRL retrieved from the database the URL refers to.
  • Information stored in a barcode may be further specified as one or more codes belonging to a static and/or dynamic range or a sub-range of codes of a system with dynamical hierarchy.
  • a collection of codes is defined as code space and by a code range a number of codes between a defined start-code and end-code are meant.
  • a master range in general includes a number of ranges on the same hierarchical level, which form a virtual code space containing the codes of the included ranges.
  • a redirect pattern is a snippet executable code, e.g. in form of a macro language, used for computing an LJRL
  • Aims of the herein presented code administration and computing system are to allow easy and if appropriate scaleable linking of individual codes to individual URLs, integration with existing applications which have their own identifier space, with very small integration effort, high performance lookups for large volumes of codes, simple code management including owner relationships, relatively sophisticated hiding of data transmitted wireless, accounting of used (Hinked) codes.
  • a further aim consists in a system which comprises hierarchical ranges that allows a parent range to define at least one child range. Thereby it becomes possible to prevent code space fragmentation e.g. when a lot of small ranges are defined. By the use of such a hierarchical approach it becomes possible to allow physical separation of servers e.g. in case of performance problems.
  • the system further offers the possibility to dynamically compute an URL from different parameters.
  • An implementation of such a system comprises a database structure which stores ranges. Ranges are defined by a start code and an end code, redirect patterns, a master range identifier, an owner and a parent. All ranges with the same master range identifier normally belong to the same master range. The number of addressable codes is thereby related to the size of the pixel pattern of the barcode. Further ranges can be defined e.g. by the design of an outer frame and/or the physical appearance of the pixel pattern and/or the locator means, such as the corner pixels, of a barcode. These ranges are thereby determined by the detecting software before the effective information stored in the barcode is retrieved.
  • a Range allocation in general takes place as follows.
  • the code space is divided into large ranges, one for each type of code (in the example given, six ranges). From these ranges, child ranges can be allocated.
  • the parent range can create the ranges and assign a different owner if needed. If the child requires more space than in the parent range has left, the parent range will try to grow. It will therefore dispatch a request to his parent range that a new range should be added to his master range. This can be obtained by a recursive behavior.
  • the requested size of the new range to be added will be, in the case of the end-range, the exact size, or, in case of all non-end-ranges, the double of the previous range size in the respective master range.
  • the result of this algorithm is a space with less fragmentation, in which end-user ranges will have exact sizes. This will e.g. allow billing for actually "used" code space, without large amounts of fragmentation in the other layers.
  • the amount of used code space in a parent range can be recursively computed from all used code space in its child ranges.
  • a code to range resolution can be described as follows.
  • a called code can be found in the database by looking for the range with the largest start code that is still smaller than the called code. If there are multiple entries, the parent-child chain can be followed to the last child.
  • a concept of a root server serving ranges up to a certain hierarchical level, and several servers serving ranges from that level and its respective children could be put into place.
  • a code to LJRL computation can be described as follows.
  • a range specifies a pattern, which defines a function that is applied to a set of parameters at the instant of code computation on the Redirecting server.
  • Examples of parameters considered during computation of a code are date/time of information retrieval from a barcode, the code retrieved, offset of the retrieved code with respect to a master range, user agent of the mobile device, a mobile device identification number, a user id mapped to the mobile device, header fields and URL parameters (e.g. of an http- request), version number of the software, location of the mobile device.
  • the URL can be computed by accessing these parameters as predefined variables in a macro language, together with string literals defined in a macro snippet. This e.g. allows generation of URLs that directly integrate with existing web-enabled applications on application servers which include an enumerator that spans less then the size of a range.
  • a range with start and end code being the same is defined linking, to a single URL and appending specific information to the URL
  • the receiving AppServer can use information retrieved from a single barcode in combination with additional information retrieved from the mobile device and/or the server to provide individualized services.
  • the time and the user id are submitted to mark an event in a schedule. This means that although only one code is linked to a single database entry/range, it still becomes possible to provide additional information e.g. by submitting specific information derived from information available in the mobile device and the servers.
  • At least one application server and/or assembling information from several application servers and transmitting the retrieved and/or assembled information to the mobile device for further processing, e.g. in form of an assembled URL point to a specific homepage on the internet.
  • An application of the above mentioned procedure would be in a billing system, e.g. as follows. At least one barcode is sold in a sealed envelope to a customer requesting information. The customer can access the information by breaking the sealed envelope and retrieving the information of the barcode by his mobile device as described. Thereby at least one further process step is initiated, e.g.
  • the billing process can also be interconnected to the retrieving process of the information of the barcode.
  • a specific barcode valid only at the moment the billing is completed, in that a specific value is set in a database.
  • One field of application is to recharge the account of the mobile devices by retrieving information from a barcode sold by a certain provider.
  • Figs. 1 is showing examples of 2-dimensional barcodes
  • Figs. 2 a first example of a 2-dimensional barcode (tag) according to the present inven- tion;
  • Figs. 3 a method for detecting of corner pixels
  • FIG. 4 a second example of a tag according to the present invention
  • Figs. 5 a third example of a tag according to the present invention
  • Figs. 6 a fourth example of a tag according to the present invention.
  • Figs. 7 a fifth example of a tag according to the present invention.
  • Figs. 8 retrieving of information from a picture of a tag
  • Figs. 9 is showing a further embodiment of a tag according to the present invention.
  • identification mean there is a joint part or mean, hereinafter called identification mean, in all different tags making them to be member of a common group.
  • identification mean there may be only one group and, hence, only one joint identification mean (e.g. if such group should indicate a standard) or, in special applications a plurality of such groups, each of them identified by one identification mean.
  • suitable identification means are preferably an outer frame and/or a specified set/arrangement of pixels, typically "corner pixels" as hereinafter referred to.
  • a common logo may suit as such identification mean.
  • a tag consists of a varying part with a plurality of pixels and at least one identification mean making it part of a logic group.
  • the tags according to the invention are identified by a set of pixels which delimit the tag geometrically in all of its dimensions.
  • these pixels are arranged in a rectangular form and herewith result in "corner pixels” that delimit in predictable form the dimension of the tag. This will result in optimized recognition and also a distortion-safe detection of the tag.
  • a preferred embodiment realizes a double identification through an outer frame and a set of pixels, such as an outer substantially rectangular frame with four inner corner pixels.
  • Figure 1 a) to j) is showing examples of 2-dimensional barcodes (tags) as known from the prior art. None of the shown examples is suitable for devices having only limited imaging retrieving and processing possibilities. Therefore fast robust and fast detection is almost impossible.
  • the following tags are visible: a) 3-DI Code developed by Lynn Ltd.; b) Aztec Code designed by Andrew Longacre at Welch Allyn; c) Data Matrix from RVSI Acuity CiMa- trix; d) Vericode from Veritec Inc.; e) Maxicode used by UPS; f) Minicode from Omniplanar, Inc.; g) QR Code which is a de-facto standard for Japanese cell phones. Developed, patented and owned by TOYOTA subsidiary Denso Wave initially for car parts management. Can encode Japanese Kanji and Kana characters, music, images, URLs, emails; h) Code 1 ; i) ez Code; j) Datastrip Code from Datastrip, Inc..
  • FIG. 2 is showing a first example of a 2-dimensional barcode (tag) 1 according to the present invention.
  • the tag comprises an in general rectangular outer frame 2, with an in general constant thickness t, which surrounds an area with pixels 3 containing information.
  • the pixels 3 are separated by a first gap 4 from the outer frame.
  • the pixels 3 are arranged along the outer frame surrounding a pixel-free area.
  • the pixels 3 are arranged on a pixel pattern and are forming a rectangular frame themselves.
  • pixel-free area 5 may be designed accordingly.
  • the pixels 3 of the shown embodiment are each having a hexagonal shape and are arranged on a honeycomb-like pattern whereby three pixels are equidistant with respect to each other (arranged on the corners of a regular triangle). As it can be seen the pixels of two adjacent rows are offset with respect to each other. The pixels are separated from each other by a second gap 6 having an in general constant thickness. Pixels 5 representing logical a "1 " are in the shown example hexagonal dots of uniform dark color and pixels 5 representing logical "O" are represented by a thin outer line 24 surrounding an area of lighter color.
  • the tag further comprises four corner pixels 7 suitable to determine position and distortion of the pattern of pixel 3.
  • the pixels may have a different shape and may be arranged on a rectangular pattern.
  • Figure 3 is schematically explaining the determination of the position of corner pixels 7 of a rectangular, non-distorted tag with a pattern of pixels 8 surrounded by an outer frame 2 with herein round off corners 9.
  • the information stored in the pixel pattern 8 of tag 1 is retrieved by processing a single image or one or more frames of a video stream from a camera.
  • the corner pixels 7 are identified, e.g. by the se- cant method.
  • a first and a second equidistant point 1 2, 13, which are interconnected by an imaginary line 14, are moving (schematically indicated by arrow 16) along the outer frame 2 of the tag 1.
  • the imaginary line 14 When the equidistant points 12, 13 are traveling around a corner 9 (see lower left corner 9, indicated by arrows 17 and 18) of the outer frame 2 the imaginary line 14 temporarily runs as a secant 19 across the first gap 4 be- tween the outer frame 2 and the pixel patter 8.
  • the corner pixels 7 are arranged such that when the secant line 19 reaches its most inner position while moving along the outer frame 2 it touches a corner pixels 7. This can be identified by analysis of the distribution of the intensity along the secant: When the secant 1 9 is moving e.g. along a straight segment (ar- row 16) of the outer frame 2 a middle point 20 of the secant line 14 also lies on the outer frame 2.
  • each corner pixel 7 with respect to the remaining corner pixels is relevant to determine the spatial distortion of the pixel pattern 8 which occurs e.g. when the camera is not arranged in a parallel plane with respect to the tag 1.
  • the corner pixels 7 normally should be arranged it is possible to determine a transformation function by which it becomes possible to "normalize” the image retrieved from the camera and determine the theoretical exact location of the pixels 3 of the pixel pattern 8 with respect to each other.
  • the value (normally "0" or "1 ") of each pixel 3 can be retrieved.
  • FIGS 4 and 5 are showing a third and a fourth embodiment of a tag (barcode) 1 accord- ing to the present invention.
  • tags 1 comprise a placeholder 21 , here in the form of a company logo, in the pixel-free area 5.
  • the placeholders 21 are at least partially surrounded by pixels 3 carrying information.
  • the example of Figure 5 does only comprise two rows of pixels 3 arranged along two opposite sides 22, 23 of the outer frame 2.
  • the pixels 3 are spaced apart from the outer frame 2 by the first gap 4.
  • the outer frame 2 of the examples of Figures 4 and 5 is much thicker than the outer frame 2 of the example according to Figure 3.
  • the thickness and the shape of the outer frame 2 is not of particular relevance as long as the detection of the corner pixels 7 is guaranteed. If appropriate it is even possible to design the outer frame 2 consisting out of at least one segment with at least one inter- ception. Therefore it might be necessary to adopt the algorithm to retrieve the information.
  • the tags 1 according to Figures 4 and 5 are identifiable by a set of pixels which delimit the tag geometrically in all of its dimensions. In the shown embodiment this are the corner pixels 7, which are arranged in a rectangular form that delimit in predictable form the dimension of the tag. This will result in optimized recognition and also a distortion-safe detection of the tag.
  • the shown embodiment offers the opportunity of a double identification through the outer frame 2 and the set of comer pixels 7.
  • Figures 6 and 7 are showing a fifth and a sixth example of a two dimensional barcode (tag) 1 according to the present invention.
  • the place holders 21 and the pixel- free areas 5 of both tags 1 have a different shape and size: While the pixel-free area 5 of the tag according to Figure 6 is in general rectangular shaped, has the pixel-free 5 area of the example of Figure 7 an in general hexagonal shape. To distinguish the different sizes and shapes of the pixel free area the pixels may comprise information about these parameters in a special pixel sequence (header) 26.
  • the code is in general retrieved from the outside to the inside the header is determined and read first such that the information re- trieving mechanism can be adopted to different shapes and sizes of pixel-free areas 5.
  • a further difference consists in that the outer frame 2 of the example according to Figure 7 is much thinner compared to the example according to Figure 6.
  • the tag 1 according to Figure 7 comprises further information 25 arranged in the first gap 4 between the outer frame 2 and the pixel pattern 8.
  • the outer frame 2 serves in the shown embodiments as joint identification mean making them to be member of a common group.
  • a common logo may suit as common identification mean.
  • the tags may consist of a varying part with a plurality of pixels and at least one identification mean making it part of a logic group.
  • Figure 8 is schematically showing in form of a diagram the processing of information from a tag according to the present invention.
  • the detection and retrieval of information stored in a tag is explained exemplary based on an image having small resolution of 100x100 image pixels.
  • the phone type is detected, when the device is indicated as being ok, at least one picture retrieved from the video device is transferred into grayscale and black and white. After detecting of an outer frame the location pixels are detected (here four corners) in function of potential disturbance. As a next step the orientation of the tag is determined and finally the code is retrieved.
  • a tuning of a thresholding parameter takes place e.g. by statistically analysis of database comprising phone-made images.
  • the algorithm may be adjusted in that as soon as the corner-pixels get into a region where their size is in the range of 1 to 3 pixels in diameter, the probability of missing the corner-pixels because of a quantizing artifact while searching on a curve is getting higher. Therefore a search to the left and right of the calculated path is performed which is in general cost efficient because these values are available in a liner memory of mobile device. This effectively enlarges the search, depending on the chosen parameters, by a factor which lies in the range of 2 to 3.
  • the pixel on the followed secant path is thereby in general not needed as the chance that the corner-pixel is missed tends to be zero. Because the in the camera pixels to the "left” and to the "right” are also very close in device memory, they will normally fit into one cache line, therefore requiring only slightly more memory access as the center pixel.
  • Figures 9 and 10 are showing a seventh and an eight example of a two dimensional bar- code (tag) 1 according to the present invention.
  • Figure 1 0 is surrounded by a second outer frame 28 which sets the tag 1 apart from a dark background 29. These examples have shown very good results in difficult conditions such as low camera resolution and small tags.
  • the four corner pixels 7 are set free and spaced apart from the outer frame
  • the thin outer line could 24 can be avoided.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)
  • Information Retrieval, Db Structures And Fs Structures Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un code barre bidimensionnel/à matrice destiné à stocker des informations lisibles par machine sous une forme visible. Le code barre comprend un moyen de ciblage, un modèle de pixels pour stocker des informations et une zone sans pixel, convenant, par exemple, à la réception d'informations complémentaires sous la forme d'un logo d'entreprise ou d'un texte. Le code barre est optimisé pour être traité par un dispositif mobile comme un téléphone cellulaire ou un dispositif portable (assistant numérique personnel) comprenant une caméra. La présente invention concerne en outre un procédé pour récupérer les informations du code barre ci-décrit.
PCT/EP2007/052544 2006-03-17 2007-03-16 Dispositif et procédé d'accès de contenu par code barre WO2007107533A2 (fr)

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US60/783,566 2006-03-17
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US60/808,643 2006-05-26

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EP2345352A1 (fr) * 2010-01-19 2011-07-20 Nestec S.A. Procédé pour fournir des informations à un utilisateur à partir d'une capsule pour la préparation d'une boisson utilisant un code
WO2011102805A1 (fr) * 2010-02-18 2011-08-25 National University Of Singapore Sessions interactives de sécurisation utilisant des codes à barres à repère visuel
EP2385480A1 (fr) * 2010-05-05 2011-11-09 Deutsche Telekom AG Procédé de configuration ou de contrôle d'un dispositif de communication, dispositif de communication, système et produit de programme informatique
EP2515258A1 (fr) * 2009-11-20 2012-10-24 Susumu Tsuji Article avec un code d'affichage joint, dispositif de génération de code d'affichage et procédé de relais d'informations
FR2989495A1 (fr) * 2012-04-17 2013-10-18 Stephane Verstichel Procede et systeme de construction d'un visuel comportant une image et un code dynamique
US20150186704A1 (en) * 2013-12-26 2015-07-02 Susumu Tsuji Article with visual code, visual code reading apparatus and information conveying method
EP2937817A1 (fr) * 2012-12-19 2015-10-28 Denso Wave Incorporated Code d'information, procédé de génération de code d'information, dispositif lecteur de code d'information et système d'utilisation de code d'information
CN105009147A (zh) * 2012-12-19 2015-10-28 电装波动株式会社 信息码、信息码生成方法、信息码读取装置以及信息码应用系统
CN105074731A (zh) * 2012-12-19 2015-11-18 电装波动株式会社 信息码、信息码生成方法、信息码读取装置以及信息码应用系统
CN105074732A (zh) * 2012-12-19 2015-11-18 电装波动株式会社 信息码、信息码生成方法、信息码读取装置以及信息码应用系统
CN105190650A (zh) * 2012-12-19 2015-12-23 电装波动株式会社 信息码、信息码生成方法、信息码读取装置以及信息码应用系统
EP3061034A4 (fr) * 2013-10-22 2017-07-05 Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Development LP Codes optiques interactifs
US10147028B2 (en) 2014-10-07 2018-12-04 Denso Wave Incorporated Method and apparatus for producing information code having an image display region with a code figure
US10796182B2 (en) 2013-10-22 2020-10-06 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development Lp Interactive optical codes

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Cited By (38)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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EP2515258A1 (fr) * 2009-11-20 2012-10-24 Susumu Tsuji Article avec un code d'affichage joint, dispositif de génération de code d'affichage et procédé de relais d'informations
EP2515258A4 (fr) * 2009-11-20 2014-05-28 Susumu Tsuji Article avec un code d'affichage joint, dispositif de génération de code d'affichage et procédé de relais d'informations
US8925796B2 (en) 2009-11-20 2015-01-06 Susumu Tsuji Article with visual code, visual code generating apparatus and information conveying method
CN102711566B (zh) * 2010-01-19 2015-11-25 雀巢产品技术援助有限公司 使用代码从用于饮料制备的胶囊向用户提供信息的方法
WO2011089049A1 (fr) * 2010-01-19 2011-07-28 Nestec S.A. Procédé de communication d'informations à un utilisateur à partir d'une capsule de préparation d'une boisson à l'aide d'un code
CN102711566A (zh) * 2010-01-19 2012-10-03 雀巢产品技术援助有限公司 使用代码从用于饮料制备的胶囊向用户提供信息的方法
US9980596B2 (en) 2010-01-19 2018-05-29 Nestec S.A. Method for providing information to a user from a capsule for the preparation of a beverage using a code
EP2345352A1 (fr) * 2010-01-19 2011-07-20 Nestec S.A. Procédé pour fournir des informations à un utilisateur à partir d'une capsule pour la préparation d'une boisson utilisant un code
WO2011102805A1 (fr) * 2010-02-18 2011-08-25 National University Of Singapore Sessions interactives de sécurisation utilisant des codes à barres à repère visuel
EP2385480A1 (fr) * 2010-05-05 2011-11-09 Deutsche Telekom AG Procédé de configuration ou de contrôle d'un dispositif de communication, dispositif de communication, système et produit de programme informatique
FR2989495A1 (fr) * 2012-04-17 2013-10-18 Stephane Verstichel Procede et systeme de construction d'un visuel comportant une image et un code dynamique
WO2013156724A3 (fr) * 2012-04-17 2014-01-09 Verstichel Stephane Procede et systeme de construction d'un visuel comportant une image et un code dynamique
US9711113B2 (en) 2012-12-19 2017-07-18 Denso Wave Incorporated Information code, information code producing method, information code reader, and system which uses information code
US10062022B2 (en) 2012-12-19 2018-08-28 Denso Wave Incorporated Information code, information code producing method, information code reader, and system which uses information code
CN105074733A (zh) * 2012-12-19 2015-11-18 电装波动株式会社 信息码、信息码生成方法、信息码读取装置以及信息码应用系统
CN105074732A (zh) * 2012-12-19 2015-11-18 电装波动株式会社 信息码、信息码生成方法、信息码读取装置以及信息码应用系统
CN105009147A (zh) * 2012-12-19 2015-10-28 电装波动株式会社 信息码、信息码生成方法、信息码读取装置以及信息码应用系统
CN105190650A (zh) * 2012-12-19 2015-12-23 电装波动株式会社 信息码、信息码生成方法、信息码读取装置以及信息码应用系统
CN105074731B (zh) * 2012-12-19 2019-06-28 电装波动株式会社 信息码、信息码生成方法、信息码读取装置以及信息码应用系统
EP2937820A4 (fr) * 2012-12-19 2016-10-05 Denso Wave Inc Code d'informations, procédé de génération de codes d'informations, dispositif lecteur de codes d'informations et système d'utilisation de codes d'informations
EP2937819A4 (fr) * 2012-12-19 2016-11-09 Denso Wave Inc Code d'informations, procédé de génération de codes d'informations, dispositif lecteur de codes d'informations et système d'utilisation de codes d'informations
EP2940628A4 (fr) * 2012-12-19 2016-11-23 Denso Wave Inc Code d'informations, procédé de génération de codes d'informations, dispositif lecteur de codes d'informations et système d'utilisation de codes d'informations
EP2937818A4 (fr) * 2012-12-19 2017-01-18 Denso Wave Incorporated Code d'informations, procédé de génération de codes d'informations, dispositif lecteur de codes d'informations et système d'utilisation de codes d'informations
EP2937817A4 (fr) * 2012-12-19 2017-03-29 Denso Wave Incorporated Code d'information, procédé de génération de code d'information, dispositif lecteur de code d'information et système d'utilisation de code d'information
US9659201B2 (en) 2012-12-19 2017-05-23 Denso Wave Incorporated Information code, information code producing method, information code reader, and system which uses information code
CN105074733B (zh) * 2012-12-19 2019-06-07 电装波动株式会社 信息码及其生成方法、读取装置以及应用系统
US9704081B2 (en) 2012-12-19 2017-07-11 Denso Wave Incorporated Information code, information code producing method, information code reader, and system which uses information code
EP2937817A1 (fr) * 2012-12-19 2015-10-28 Denso Wave Incorporated Code d'information, procédé de génération de code d'information, dispositif lecteur de code d'information et système d'utilisation de code d'information
US9934760B2 (en) 2012-12-19 2018-04-03 Denso Wave Incorporated Information code, information code producing method, information code reader, and system which uses information code
CN105190650B (zh) * 2012-12-19 2019-05-10 电装波动株式会社 信息码、及其生成方法、读取装置以及应用系统
CN105009147B (zh) * 2012-12-19 2019-02-22 电装波动株式会社 信息码、信息码生成方法、信息码读取装置以及信息码应用系统
CN105074731A (zh) * 2012-12-19 2015-11-18 电装波动株式会社 信息码、信息码生成方法、信息码读取装置以及信息码应用系统
US9971950B2 (en) 2013-10-22 2018-05-15 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development Lp Interactive optical codes
EP3061034A4 (fr) * 2013-10-22 2017-07-05 Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Development LP Codes optiques interactifs
US10796182B2 (en) 2013-10-22 2020-10-06 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development Lp Interactive optical codes
US20150186704A1 (en) * 2013-12-26 2015-07-02 Susumu Tsuji Article with visual code, visual code reading apparatus and information conveying method
US9330293B2 (en) * 2013-12-26 2016-05-03 Susumu Tsuji Article with visual code, visual code reading apparatus and information conveying method
US10147028B2 (en) 2014-10-07 2018-12-04 Denso Wave Incorporated Method and apparatus for producing information code having an image display region with a code figure

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