| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 235462040 | Bar code with bars of more than two colors (e.g., multicolored bar code, multilevel gray) | 40 |
| 20090078772 | Techniques for decoding images of barcodes - Techniques for enhancing the reliable and efficient decoding of images of computer-readable symbols, which represent information encoded using a one- or two-dimensional visual symbology, are discussed. In accordance with one technique, prior to attempting to decode a particular image, a likelihood of successfully decoding the visual symbology from the image is determined based on a success metric. The success metric is calculated based on the blurriness of the image, or the tilt of the camera that captured the image, or both. Levels of blurriness or tilt, and the likelihood of decoding success, are ascertained with respect to predetermined reference values associated with generally decodable images. In accordance with another technique, image-sharpening algorithms are applied at select locations within the image. Such locations generally correspond to centers of modules within the visual symbology of the computer-readable symbol, which are assigned values based on grayscale values of proximate pixels in the image. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090194592 | Color Barcode Producing Method and Apparatus, Color Barcode Reading Method and Apparatus and Color Barcode Reproducing Method and Apparatus - A color barcode can record much more amount of information than black white barcode. However, the problem of the color barcode is that it is easy to lose integrity or authenticity in printing and copy generation. This invention provides an apparatus and a method to keep the integrity or authenticity of the color barcode. Such is accomplished by the color reference portion of the color barcode including reference color tiles filled with colors which are used in a data portion of the color barcode and an apparatus and a method for producing, reproducing and reading such color barcode. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20100025472 | COLORED BARCODE DECODING - In an exemplary embodiment, a method is employed to read an overprinted barcode. An RGB pixel map is obtained from an overprinted color barcode that contains a plurality of disparate colors. A pixel map is allocated for each of the colors detected and each pixel is classified in the one or more pixel maps according to color. One or more barcodes are extracted from the overprinted barcode that correlates to each color detected. Each of the extracted barcodes are then filtered, decoded and read. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20110089241 | Orthogonal Charge-Based Spectral Coding with Quantum Dot Conjugates - Populations of quantum dots are combined with quantities of a modulator of photoluminescence to produce a plurality of optical barcodes having at least two distinguishable colors arising from varying quantities of a modulator of photoluminescence bound to the populations of quantum dots. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20120000983 | NOISE REMOVAL FROM COLOR BARCODE IMAGES - A method for noise removal from color barcode images includes acquiring a barcode image using a color imaging array and separating the barcode image into color channels. Weighting factors are associated with the color channels and at least one weighting factor is reduced. The weighting factors are applied to the color channels to produce a first transformed image. A portion of the first transformed image is analyzed to produce a first set of decoded data from the barcode. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120018518 | BARCODE PROCESSING - A blurred barcode image is processed by providing an image representation thereof comprising grayscale values. The image representation is deconvoluted using a candidate motion kernel to get a deconvoluted representation. A barcode similarity measure is calculated for the deconvoluted representation to indicate how close the distribution of the grayscale values of the deconvoluted representation is to an optimal distribution for a barcode image. The kernel provision, deconvolution and measure calculation are repeated for different candidate | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120043384 | Multi-Modal One-Dimensional Barcodes - Techniques for decoding a multi-modal barcode are provided. The techniques include scanning a multi-modal barcode into a grayscale image, applying a threshold to quantize the grayscale image into a monochrome image, passing the monochrome image to 1D barcode recovery to reconstruct a primary barcode, applying a horizontally-oriented edge detector to the grayscale image to quantize grayscale into monochrome, passing the monochrome image to a 1D barcode recovery process to reconstruct a secondary barcode to decode the multi-modal barcode. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120080525 | Document Security Utilizing Color Gradients - The present invention includes apparatus and methods for printing and verifying postage stamps on demand via a personal postage stamp printer. The indicium by which the stamp is printed includes a color stripe and a data field including authentication data that corresponds to the color stripe. To authenticate the stamp, the authentication data in the data field is read and compared with authentication data extracted from the color stripe. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120118969 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BARCODE SCANNING USING IMAGE CALIBRATION - A method and system is provided barcode scanning using image calibration for a captured image of a target barcode. The method comprises: receiving color image values for the captured image from a color image sensor; determining a set of coefficients for calibrating the captured image in dependence upon predefined sensor sensitivity profiles, the predefined sensor sensitivity profiles for defining spectral sensitivity values for the color image sensor for a range of predetermined wavelengths. Once the set of coefficients are obtained, they are applied to the color image values to obtain calibrated image values such as to provide color balancing of the captured image. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120118970 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BARCODE SCANNING WITH COLOR IMAGE SENSORS - A system and method are provided for barcode scanning for a target barcode comprising: receiving color image values for a captured image of the target barcode from at least one color image sensor; and extracting luminosity values for each pixel of the captured image from the color image values to define greyscale image values corresponding to the color image values. Once the luminosity values are defined, they are provided as greyscale image values to a greyscale barcode decoder for subsequent processing thereof. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120153023 | Colored barcode decoding - In an exemplary embodiment, a method is employed to read an overprinted barcode. An RGB pixel map is obtained from an overprinted color barcode that contains a plurality of disparate colors. A pixel map is allocated for each of the colors detected and each pixel is classified in the one or more pixel maps according to color. One or more barcodes are extracted from the overprinted barcode that correlates to each color detected. Each of the extracted barcodes are then filtered, decoded and read. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120298753 | System and Method for Decoding Barcodes Not Easily Perceptible by Human Vision - A computing device and method for reading a barcode captured with a color image sensor is disclosed. The barcode can have features and background that have equal brightness and a substantially low chromacity deviation such that the barcode could not be easily perceptible and decoded with known greyscale decoding techniques. The method for reading the barcode includes receiving color image values for each pixel of a captured image of a target barcode from a color image sensor, determining chrominance values for each pixel from the color image values, detecting edges based on the chrominance values to generate an edge-detected image that is provided to a greyscale barcode decoder to decode the information in the target barcode. The chrominance values can be based on the blue and red difference components from the YUV image format, and the U and V values can be combined using color temperature information. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120312877 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SUFFICIENT ILLUMINATION QUALITY FOR BARCODES CAPTURED WITH A COLOR IMAGE SENSOR - A barcode scanner device for reading a target barcode having a plurality of feature sections in a first color and a plurality of background sections in a second color. The device comprises: a light source for providing incident illumination onto the target barcode during reading of the target barcode, the light source having a plurality of independently selectable color wavelengths; a photodetector for receiving at least a portion of the incident illumination when reflected off the target barcode as reflected illumination, the reflected illumination used by the photodetector to capture a first color image of the target barcode when a first color wavelength is selected as the incident illumination and to capture a second color image of the target barcode when a second color wavelength is selected as the incident illumination. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20130001310 | INFORMATION CODE AND INFORMATION CODE READER - Disclosed herein are an information code and an information code reader. In information code, a plurality of light-colored modules exhibiting the reflective characteristics of light color when light of a second wavelength band different from light of a first wavelength band is radiated and a plurality of dark-colored modules exhibiting the reflective characteristics of dark color when the light of a second wavelength band is radiated are arranged in a code region. The information code includes a masked portion disposed in a predetermined region of the code region in which light is intercepted and prevents the corresponding information code from being read, and configured to, when the light of a second wavelength band is radiated, allow light reflected from the modules of the corresponding code region to pass therethrough and thereby interrupt the light of a first wavelength band. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130134221 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ACQUIRING CODE IMAGE IN A PORTABLE TERMINAL - An apparatus and method for acquiring a code image in a portable terminal includes an image recognizing unit for acquiring a picture including the code image and a code analyzing unit for verifying color information items for pixels with respect to the acquired picture, deleting a certain color information item according to a predetermined scheme when there are a plurality of color information items in order to recognize the code image having at least one of a QR code and a bar code. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130161395 | FOUR DIMENSIONAL (4D) COLOR BARCODE FOR HIGH CAPACITY DATA ENCODING AND DECODING - A method and program for encoding and decoding color barcodes to increase their data capacity. The encoding steps include determining a shape and a color for each data cell to encode digital data, wherein a combination of the shape and the color for the data cell is chosen from a plurality of combinations of shapes and colors in accordance with a value of the digital data to be encoded, and coloring a subset of the plurality of pixels in each data cell in accordance with the shape and the color for the data cell determined above. The decoding steps include segmenting the data cells in a color barcode, recognizing a shape formed by a subset of pixels in each data cell and the color of the shape, and obtaining digital data from a combination of the recognized shape and color in each data cell. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130161396 | FOUR DIMENSIONAL (4D) COLOR BARCODE FOR HIGH CAPACITY DATA ENCODING AND DECODING - A method for encoding and decoding color barcodes to increase their data capacity. The encoding steps include determining a shape, a foreground color and a background color for each data cell, wherein a combination of the shape, foreground and background colors for the data cell is chosen from a plurality of such combinations in accordance with a value of the digital data to be encoded; and coloring some pixels in the data cell with a foreground color and other pixels with a background color, in accordance with the shape, foreground and background colors for the data cell determined above. The decoding steps include segmenting the data cells, recognizing a shape, a foreground color of the shape and a background color of the data cell, and obtaining digital data from a combination of the shape and foreground and background colors in each data cell. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130193211 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROBUST REAL-TIME 1D BARCODE DETECTION - A fast image-based barcode detection and recognition technique allows a user of a device to analyze an image containing a barcode, locating the barcode containing region of the image automatically, without requiring a user to frame and align the image. In one embodiment, the technique may locate multiple omni-directional barcode regions simultaneously. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130233927 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus has an image read unit configured to form image data from a scanned original and an image processing unit configured to process the image data to identify a color barcode therein, convert the color barcode into a monochrome barcode, and generate new image data that contains the monochrome barcode in place of the color barcode. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130334313 | System and method for encoding and extending data limit of barcode symbologies - The method and system for extending data limit of a mono-colored barcode is disclosed. The method divides the data into data chunks and assigns a unique color value to individual data chunks. Further the method encodes the data chunks based on the symbology. Then the method multiplexes the encoded data chunks to create a resultant image that contains all the encoded data or barcode. In the decoding process, the barcode reader captures the image and enhances the quality for data extraction. Then the de-multiplexer separates the enhanced image into individual mono colored barcodes. Further, the decoder decodes each individual barcodes into data chunks. Finally, the method merges the data chunks to obtain original barcode data. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20140027516 | Color Extension of Barcodes - A method for color extension of bar codes includes converting the white portions of a plurality of black and white bar codes to a color unique to each bar code; merging the converted bar codes together to form a combined color image; and producing a color bar code from the combined color image. The method may include rendering, scanning, and decoding the color bar code to recreate the black and white bar codes. The contents of the black and white bar codes may be utilized as data to store text, graphics commands, or music. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140138441 | COLOR MICRO BAR CODE MARKER AND SYSTEM - A micro marker is formed of geometric features having various colors to apply to an object. The micro marker includes a background having a first color, multiple localization features formed on the background having a second color, and multiple information encoding features, each information encoding feature having a color selected from multiple colors to represent digital values, the information encoding features being arranged proximate the localization features on the background. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140144991 | ROBUST DECODING OF COLOR BARCODE PRINTED WITH EXTREMELY SMALL DATA CELLS - A method for decoding digital data in a color barcode having a plurality of data cells, including the steps of: scanning the color barcode of the hardcopy document, separating color image of the color barcode into print primary color planes, computing peaks of each print primary color plane, projecting, for at least one of the print primary color planes, the data cells along a horizontal direction and a vertical direction at the peaks of the at least one of the primary color planes in each direction which represent data cell center locations respectively, and creating a grid where each of its intersection is a respective data cell center location, assigning a color to each grid intersection which corresponds to a respective data cell by examining values of the print primary color planes at such location, and decoding digital data from the data cells based on the respective color assigned to each data cell. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140166757 | IMAGING TERMINAL OPERATIVE FOR DECODING - There is set forth herein an imaging terminal operative for decoding of bar codes. In one embodiment the terminal can include a color imaging assembly having a color image sensor array. The terminal can be operative for capture of a color frame of image data. Responsively to the capture of the color frame of image data the terminal can convert the color image data to monochrome image data while maintaining the color image data. The terminal can utilize the monochrome image data to search for a color bar code finder pattern. The terminal can be operative so that if the color bar code pattern is found utilizing the monochrome image data the terminal can utilize the color image data for attempting to decode a color bar code. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140209685 | COVERT BAR CODE PATTERN DESIGN AND DECODING - Devices, methods, and systems for covert bar code pattern design and decoding are described herein. One covert bar code includes detector code and decoder code. The detector code includes a combination of responsive absorptive material and responsive reflective material, and the decoder code includes a combination of responsive absorptive material and responsive reflective material. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140239072 | Automatically Converting a Sign and Method for Automatically Reading a Sign - The invention discloses a method and device for automatically converting a sign and a method for automatically reading a sign. The method for automatically converting a sign comprises: disposing a first number of modules dispersedly within the sign, the first number being equal to a number of modules of a two-dimensional code that denote the sign; determining a mapping relation between the first number of modules and the respective modules of the two-dimensional code; and setting the first number of modules respectively to have same properties as the respective modules to which they are mapped of the two-dimensional code, so as to generate a converted sign. With the above method and device for automatically converting a sign, various signs can be automatically converted to machine readable signs, so that people and machines can easily understand these signs. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140263651 | BOOK USING COLOR SPACE ENCODED IMAGE - Embodiments of the present disclosure can include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer program products for using color space encoded images to publish an entire book including text and images onto a single piece of paper, or onto few pieces of paper. In certain aspects, the present systems and methods allow users to perform data backup using color space encoded images. In other aspects, the present systems and methods allow users to self-publish desired content significantly cheaper by encoding the desired content using color space encoded images. In certain aspects, publishers or booksellers can include traditional books in combination with digital or electronic books distributed using color space encoded images. In other aspects, the present systems and methods allow users or administrators to compress and/or copy massive documents using color space encoded images. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140339312 | Progressive Barcode - A method and apparatus for encoding, in a simultaneous multiple security application, independently encrypted security data elements within a single matrix of blocks in a progressive barcode. The method and apparatus including, encoding information of a first data element within the matrix using black modules and, encoding information of a second data element within the matrix using color modules. The barcode being configured to be overprinted as it progresses through progressive states. The progressive barcode, resulting from the overprinting through the progressive states, masking the ability to conclusively determine the barcode in a previous state. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140346231 | MULTIDIMENSIONAL COLOR BARCODE - The invention provides architecture of a multidimensional color barcode. The multidimensional color barcode includes a plurality of data cells and a plurality of palette cells which are placed in a predefined order on each side of the multidimensional color barcode. The multidimensional color barcode also includes one or more alternating black and white tic marks placed on two sides of the multidimensional color barcode. Data is encoded and decoded in the multidimensional color barcode using color assigned to each of the plurality of data cells and the plurality of palette cells. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20150090790 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THREE DIMENSION PRINTING FOR SECURE VALIDATION - The invention uses three-dimensional printing techniques to lay down a three-dimensional black and white grid (or “4-dimensional” grid, if color is used). To read and decode a three-dimensional bar-code, a light-field camera is used to capture the whole three-dimensional structure and the focus levels are then determined for a predetermined number of vertical levels. Adding color adds another degree of freedom (dimension) in the number and difficulty of encoding and decoding the three-dimensional bar-codes. These bar-codes cannot be simply made or copied, providing a level of security thereby. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150090791 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BINARIZATION OF TWO DIMENSIONAL CODE IMAGE - Binarization method and system for two dimensional code images is provided. Each block region has a different grayscale threshold. Thus, for each block region, whether a pixel in the block region is determined as black or white restoring process is not solely based on the grayscale value of the pixel itself, but also an average grayscale value of a predetermined area specified for a block region where the pixel locates. That is to say, when the predetermined area in which the block region locates has generally a larger grayscale value, the grayscale threshold corresponding to the block region may become larger, and vice versa. Because the grayscale threshold of a block region is closely related to grayscale values in a background of this block region, external circumstance interference may be prevented from an obtained binary result, producing a clear binary image accordingly. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150090792 | SYSTEM FOR DECODING TWO DIMENSIONAL CODE AND METHOD THEREOF - Method and system for decoding a two dimensional code is disclosed. In the binarization process of a two dimensional code image, through performing a dividing operation on the two dimensional code image, each block region has a different grayscale threshold. For each block region, whether a pixel in the block region is determined as black or white is not solely based on the grayscale value of the pixel itself, but also an average grayscale value of a predetermined area set for the block region where the pixel locates. When the predetermined area in which the block region locates has a larger grayscale value as a whole, the grayscale threshold corresponding to the block region may become larger, and vice versa. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150347886 | HIGH CAPACITY 2D COLOR BARCODE AND METHOD FOR DECODING THE SAME - A 2D color barcode layout is disclosed. The barcode includes a 2D array of data cells, four corner locators, and border reference cells forming four borders between the corner locators that substantially surround the array of data cells. Each data cell and border reference cell has one of four primary colors (e.g. CMYK). Most border reference cells have the same size as the data cells, except for yellow ones which are longer. The border reference cells form a repeating color sequence along the borders, and are used during decoding to calculate (1) the channel offset (a spatial offset) of each primary color at different locations along the borders and (2) the reference (average) color values of each primary color. During decoding, the color values of each data cell is measured while taking into account channel offset which is calculated by interpolating the channel offset of the border reference cells. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150363681 | PROGRESSIVE BARCODE - A method and apparatus for encoding, in a simultaneous multiple security application, independently encrypted security data elements within a single matrix of blocks in a progressive barcode. The method and apparatus including, encoding information of a first data element within the matrix using black modules and, encoding information of a second data element within the matrix using color modules. The barcode being configured to be overprinted as it progresses through progressive states. The progressive barcode, resulting from the overprinting through the progressive states, masking the ability to conclusively determine the barcode in a previous state. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20160078333 | ENCODING AN INFORMATION OBJECT - A first portion of an information object is encoded with first information, where the first information object is recognizable by an information object reader. A second portion of the information object is encoded with second information, where the second information is not recognizable by the information object reader. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160086071 | HIGH CAPACITY 2D COLOR BARCODE AND METHOD FOR DECODING THE SAME - A 2D color barcode layout is disclosed. The barcode includes a 2D array of data cells, four corner locators, and border reference cells forming four borders between the corner locators that substantially surround the array of data cells. Each data cell and border reference cell has one of four primary colors (e.g. CMYK). Most border reference cells have the same size as the data cells, except for yellow ones which are longer. The border reference cells form a repeating color sequence along the borders, and are used during decoding to calculate (1) the channel offset (a spatial offset) of each primary color at different locations along the borders and (2) the reference (average) color values of each primary color. During decoding, the color values of each data cell is measured while taking into account channel offset which is calculated by interpolating the channel offset of the border reference cells. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160379029 | HIGH CAPACITY 2D COLOR BARCODE DESIGN AND PROCESSING METHOD FOR CAMERA BASED APPLICATIONS - A processing method for a color barcode image captured by a camera or barcode reader. The barcode includes color data cells and multiple large black locators which are located at the four corners of the barcode, along the four borders, and inside the barcode forming an array. The locators are first identified. Perspective correction is performed by dividing the barcode image into smaller regions each containing four locators, individually transforming each region into its original shape e.g. square, and spatially combining them into the barcode image. Illumination correction is applied to the barcode image based on average pixel intensities of the locators, by calculating an illumination correction map using the average densities of the locators and 2-dimensional interpolation for pixel positions other than the locators. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20160379030 | OPTICAL ELEMENT HAVING TWO PHASE MASKS - An optical element is disclosed. The optical element comprises: a first phase shift mask formed on a first optical material and constituted to generate a positive phase shift, and a second phase shift mask formed on a second optical material and constituted to generate a negative phase shift, wherein the phase shift masks are arranged serially on an optical axis, and wherein a refractive index of at least one of the first and second optical materials varies with the temperature at a rate of at least 50×10 | 12-29-2016 |
| 20160379031 | HIGH CAPACITY 2D COLOR BARCODE DESIGN AND PROCESSING METHOD FOR CAMERA BASED APPLICATIONS - A processing method for a color barcode image captured by a camera or barcode reader. The barcode includes color data cells and multiple large black locators which are located at the four corners of the barcode, along the four borders, and inside the barcode forming an array. The locators are first identified from a grayscale version of the barcode image using multiple binarization technique to ensure that all locators are identified. Perspective correction and illumination correction may be applied to the barcode image using the identified locators. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20170235990 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SERVING PIXEL MAPPED CONTENT TO MERCHANDISING COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS | 08-17-2017 |
