Abstract: A method of extracting data from an identifiable monochromatic pattern. The method comprises separating a polychromatic optical signal, received from an object having identifiable monochromatic pattern, into a plurality of wavelength components, separately capturing each of the wavelength components, reconstructing a plurality of images each from a different wavelength component, detecting the identifiable monochromatic pattern in one or more of the images, and extracting data associated with or encoded by the detected identifiable monochromatic pattern. The images have different depths of field.

Abstract: An indicia reading terminal can comprise an image sensor integrated circuit having a two-dimensional image sensor, a hand held housing encapsulating the two-dimensional image sensor, and an imaging lens configured to focus an image of a target decodable indicia onto the two-dimensional image sensor. The two-dimensional image sensor can include a plurality of pixels arranged in repetitive patterns. Each pattern can include at least one pixel sensitive in a first spectrum region, at least one pixel sensitive in a second spectrum region, and at least one pixel sensitive in a third spectrum region. The image sensor integrated circuit can be configured to capture a frame of image data by reading out a plurality of analog signals. Each read out analog signal can be representative of light incident on a group of two or more pixels of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A decodable indicia reading system can be provided for use in locating and decoding a bar code symbol represented within a frame of image data. The system can comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a memory communicatively coupled to the CPU, and two or more image sensors communicatively coupled to the CPU or to the memory. The system can be configured to select an image sensor for indicia reading by cycling through available image sensors to detect an image sensor suitable for an attempted indicia reading operation by comparing a measured parameter value to a pre-defined sensor-specific threshold value. The system can be further configured to select the first suitable or the best suitable image sensor for the attempted decodable indicia reading operation based upon the comparison result. The system can be further configured to notify the system operator which image sensor has been selected. The system can be further configured to obtain a decodable indicia image by the selected image sensor.

Abstract: The barcode creation apparatus which creates a barcode read in by a prescribed terminal device, comprises: a function specification device which specifies a function which allows the terminal device to startup when the barcode is read in, from a plurality of functions that the terminal device has; a color specification device which specifies a color of the barcode, the color representing the function specified by the function specification device; and a barcode creation device which creates the barcode in the specified color.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a white LED including an LED and a fluorescent material and configured to illuminate a document reading position with light, a reading unit having a color line sensor and a monochrome line sensor and configured to read an image of a document illuminated with the light emitted from the white LED, and a filter arranged on an optical path between the monochrome line sensor and the document, and wherein the filter is configured to suppress transmission of light at a peak wavelength of the LED so that, regarding an intensity of light to be received on the monochrome line sensor, the intensity of the light at the peak wavelength of the LED is smaller than the intensity of the light at the peak wavelength of the fluorescent material when the light emitted from the LED is received.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in optical reading can comprise an image sensor and a circuit board, and can further comprise a support assembly. An apparatus for use in optical reading can also comprise a light source and imaging optics.

Abstract: A barcode-embedding area is obtained in a color image based on expression possibility by the juxtaposed additive color mixture and possibility of reading of pixels separately by a barcode reader (S11), a color image in the barcode-embedding area is expressed by the juxtaposed additive color mixture, and color images for the code area and the background area, which are readable by the barcode reader, are created (S12, S13), a color-image-superimposed barcode image is created by using the color images for the code area and the background area, and the same color-image-superimposed barcode image is embedded in the barcode-embedding area (S14), and the color-image-superimposed barcode image and the original color image are corrected if necessary (S15, S16).

Abstract: Disclosed is a technology that specifies each of a plurality of two-dimensional codes in an image and reduces the processing time for judging color in each cell region in each specified two-dimensional code. Based on edge images generated from obtained images, candidate regions among these edge images are extracted, a judgment is made about whether or not a characteristic pattern is included in each of the corresponding regions in the original images that correspond to these extracted candidate regions, and then the two-dimensional code regions are detected from among the original images. The color is judged both for each pixel group that comprises each row of that region and for each pixel cell, in pixel array order. If it is determined that a certain number or more pixels in each row that corresponds to each cell region are included in the color judgment region, color judgment is omitted for the remaining pixels in that row.

Abstract: An indicia reading terminal can comprise an image sensor integrated circuit having a two-dimensional image sensor, a hand held housing encapsulating the two-dimensional image sensor, and an imaging lens configured to focus an image of a target decodable indicia onto the two-dimensional image sensor. The two-dimensional image sensor can include a plurality of pixels arranged in repetitive patterns. Each pattern can include at least one pixel sensitive in a first spectrum region, at least one pixel sensitive in a second spectrum region, and at least one pixel sensitive in a third spectrum region. The image sensor integrated circuit can be configured to capture a frame of image data by reading out a plurality of analog signals. Each read out analog signal can be representative of light incident on a group of two or more pixels of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A two-dimensional code with a logo, wherein a two-dimensional code that represents information by means of a cell dot distribution pattern formed by having a plurality of cells colored and a logo mark visually representing characters are superimposed. In a preferred embodiment, at least a part of the cell dot color area is smaller than the cell area while the two-dimensional code that represents the information by means of the cell dot distribution pattern that color codes the cells and the logo mark that visually represents the character are superimposed.

Abstract: A mixed code, and a method and apparatus for encoding the same are provided. The mixed code includes a first code image region storing a first code image obtained by encoding first information using color, shading, or a combination thereof, and a second code image region storing a second code image obtained by encoding second information using color, shading, or a combination thereof. The first code image and/or the second code image includes the results of encoding interpretation information, construction information, error control information, and code direction information. The mixed code is made by adjusting the difference in color and brightness between the first and second code images to a predetermined level and combining these images.

Abstract: The present invention provides a layered two-dimensional code which can be considerably improved in the data capacity thereof without increasing the area thereof by integrating a plurality of two-dimensional codes by a predetermined correlation and expressing it as one two-dimensional code, a method of creating the layered two-dimensional code, and a method of reading the layered two-dimensional code. The layered two-dimensional code is formed as a surface layer by layering a plurality of code layers (for example, code layers 1, 2, and 3) each having information cells (1a?, 1a?, and the like) arranged in a two-dimensional matrix and by integrating the plurality of code layers. An index information code 1c essentially including the information of an RGB value of each code layer is included at one part of the surface layer. When the information cells (1a? and 1a?) of the code layers 1 and 2 are superposed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A grayscale two-dimensional barcode may be converted to a two-dimensional color barcode. The color barcode includes a set of sub-regions, and the cells in each sub-region exhibits a color pattern that corresponds to pattern of binary, grayscale cells. The two-dimensional color barcode may be decoded by comparing the pattern for each sub-region to a known grayscale pattern. The two-dimensional color barcode may be used for error correction by first decoding the barcode in grayscale form based on the luminance without reference to color, then decoding the barcode based on its color and comparing the results.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technology that specifies each of a plurality of two-dimensional codes in an image and reduces the processing time for judging color in each cell region in each specified two-dimensional code. Based on edge images generated from obtained images, candidate regions among these edge images are extracted, a judgment is made about whether or not a characteristic pattern is included in each of the corresponding regions in the original images that correspond to these extracted candidate regions, and then the two-dimensional code regions are detected from among the original images. The color is judged both for each pixel group that comprises each row of that region and for each pixel cell, in pixel array order. If it is determined that a certain number or more pixels in each row that corresponds to each cell region are included in the color judgment region, color judgment is omitted for the remaining pixels in that row.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to reduce costs for biological sample measurement devices by means of providing a novel method for easily and reliably identifying types of biological sample measurement sensors. Specifically, the present invention provides a biological sample measurement device provided with a main body case, a sensor insertion port, a connector, a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element disposed inside of the main body case in the vicinity of the connector, and a connector terminal. The light-emitting element can irradiate light onto a biological sample measurement sensor attached to the connector. The light-receiving element can receive reflected light or transmitted light from the biological sample measurement sensor attached to the connector. The type of the biological sample measurement sensor is identified on the basis of the light received and recognized by the light-receiving element.

Abstract: A technique and a light emitting device that can smoothly read out data while tracking a position of the light emitting device (an object). The light emitting device expresses data with “a change in the change of a color (switching of changes)”. The light emitting device specifies an object and the position thereof with a first primary change and thereafter expresses data with, so to speak, a secondary change (switching of the primary change). The primary change means that G and B alternately turn on (indicated by G*B) and so on. The secondary change means a change from the condition (G*B), in which G and B alternately turn on, to the condition (B*R) in which B and R alternately turn on. Thus, since data is expressed by the change of color condition changes, it is easier to freely express data while the position of an object is specified.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for producing color-image data representative of a color optical code or other color objects, particularly with a monochrome imager. Monochrome image-sensor data is produced by receiving a sequence of colored light emitted by an artificial light source and reflected from the color object. The sequence of colored light may be a red, green, and blue sequence of colored light emitting diode lights according to some embodiments. The monochrome imager produces the monochrome image-sensor data based at least in part on the portion of the reflected sequence of colored light. The monochrome image-sensor data is processed to produce color-image data representing the color optical code.

Abstract: An indicia reading terminal can comprise an image sensor integrated circuit having a two-dimensional image sensor, a hand held housing encapsulating the two-dimensional image sensor, and an imaging lens configured to focus an image of a target decodable indicia onto the two-dimensional image sensor. The two-dimensional image sensor can include a plurality of pixels arranged in repetitive patterns. Each pattern can include at least one pixel sensitive in a first spectrum region, at least one pixel sensitive in a second spectrum region, and at least one pixel sensitive in a third spectrum region. The image sensor integrated circuit can be configured to capture a frame of image data by reading out a plurality of analog signals. Each read out analog signal can be representative of light incident on a group of two or more pixels of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A decodable indicia reading system can be provided for use in locating and decoding a bar code symbol represented within a frame of image data. The system can comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a memory communicatively coupled to the CPU, and two or more image sensors communicatively coupled to the CPU or to the memory. The system can be configured to select an image sensor for indicia reading by cycling through available image sensors to detect an image sensor suitable for an attempted indicia reading operation by comparing a measured parameter value to a pre-defined sensor-specific threshold value. The system can be further configured to select the first suitable or the best suitable image sensor for the attempted decodable indicia reading operation based upon the comparison result. The system can be further configured to notify the system operator which image sensor has been selected. The system can be further configured to obtain a decodable indicia image by the selected image sensor.

Abstract: The aim is to reduce the influence of the filming environment of an image that represents a two-dimensional code when determining a color that has been added to a cell in the two-dimensional code. Disclosed is a two-dimensional code (100) in which a mark is added to each cell group in an information color or a combination color that is correlated with the information indicated by the cell group, and the mark for each cell (C) in the cell group is added in a specified coordinate color within a component domain from among a component model representing the distribution of color components, that is disposed in a positional relationship void of mutual interference.

Abstract: A two-dimensional code with a logo, wherein a two-dimensional code that represents information by means of a cell dot distribution pattern formed by having a plurality of cells colored and a logo mark visually representing characters are superimposed. In a preferred embodiment, at least a part of the cell dot color area is smaller than the cell area while the two-dimensional code that represents the information by means of the cell dot distribution pattern that color codes the cells and the logo mark that visually represents the character are superimposed.

Abstract: An image processing device provided with an acquiring unit and a generating unit. The acquiring unit acquires invisible image data of an invisible image subject to forming on a recording medium with invisible coloring material and acquires source image data of a source image subject to forming on the recording medium with visible coloring material. The generating unit generates corrected-image-data of the source image data corrected according to the absorption wavelength characteristics of the invisible coloring material, such that the color of overlapping regions where both the invisible image and the source image are superimposed when formed on the recording medium approximates to the color of regions corresponding to the overlapping regions in the source image.

Abstract: It is possible to linearly arrange cells and indicate particular data in the order of colors of respective sells. A code system uses an optical symbol decoding method capable of reading the color arrangement if the arrangement continuity and the linear shape are maintained. The data expression method may be other than “the order of colors.” For example, it is possible to employ a method for allocating a numeric value to each of the colors by one-to-one correspondence (R=0, B=1, etc.), a method for allocating data by a color transition (“CM”=“MY”=“YC”=0, “CY”=“YM”=“MC”=1, etc.), a method for allocating data for a combination of colors, and the like.

Abstract: This invention provides an approach of disposing waste for marking different products of waste sources with different color classification iconic codes at the time of production. The color classification iconic code contains at least one specific color used to indicate the category of the product, and this specific color has the maximum distribution area in the color classification iconic code or occupies the entire color classification iconic code. Various containers used to contain different wastes are marked with the corresponding colors that indicate product categories in the color classification iconic codes. With the approach of disposing waste in this invention, even the children at 3-5 years old and illiterates can classify the waste and discard it into the matched trash can according to the color classification iconic code. In this way, the same type of waste can be collected together conveniently for recycling.

Abstract: Disclosed are a QR (Quick Response) code having hidden codes and methods for forming and identifying the hidden codes. The QR code comprises a plurality of square colored message unit blocks for computer systems identification and arranged without gaps according to a predetermined rule. The hidden codes are located in the colored message unit blocks, wherein the chrominance of the hidden codes is different from the chrominance of the colored message unit blocks to achieve the objective of anti-counterfeiting and hidden, thereby ensuring the colored message unit blocks that are not easy to be discovered and achieves a higher anti-counterfeiting and hidden function.

Abstract: To accurately discriminate a dot region within an image, the image processing apparatus includes first through fourth isolated dot discriminating portions each judging, for each of a plurality of pixels included in the image, whether the pixel corresponds to a center pixel of an isolated dot, an isolated dot size determining portion detecting an isolated dot size, a dot region discriminating portion judging whether a target pixel is included in a dot region based on a position of the pixel judged as being the center pixel of the isolated dot, and a dot region determining portion determining the dot region based on a position of the target pixel judged as being included in the dot region and the detected isolated dot size.

Abstract: 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 such that the barcode could not be 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.

Abstract: A portable hand held optical reader having a specially constructed two-dimensional image sensor array is operational in a bar code decoding mode and in a picture taking mode. The specially constructed image sensor array, in one embodiment, is a hybrid monochrome and color image sensor pixel array, wherein a first subset of the pixels are monochrome pixels devoid of wavelength selective color filter elements and a second subset of the pixels are color sensitive pixels including wavelength selective color filter elements.

Abstract: A card is provided with a light sensor operable to receive information via light emitted from a display screen or another source of light. Accordingly, a mobile telephonic device or portable computer (e.g., tablet computer) may communicate information to a card via light pulses. Information communicated via light may include, for example, points balances, credit balances, debit balances, transaction history, software updates, coupons, promotions, advertisements or any other type of information.

Abstract: There is described a synthetic marker encoding data, the synthetic marker comprising an information payload represented by bits encoded along a spectrum, each of the bits having a priority level assigned thereto ranging from high to low, bits having lower priority levels being encoded along an end of the spectrum which is successively lost with progressively degrading marker viewing conditions compared to bits having higher priority levels.

Abstract: A method of extracting data from an identifiable monochromatic pattern. The method comprises separating a polychromatic optical signal, received from an object having identifiable monochromatic pattern, into a plurality of wavelength components, separately capturing each of the wavelength components, reconstructing a plurality of images each from a different wavelength component, detecting the identifiable monochromatic pattern in one or more of the images, and extracting data associated with or encoded by the detected identifiable monochromatic pattern. The images have different depths of field.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data reader including: an image acquisition section configured to acquire an image having color cells arranged in a two-dimensional space, each of the color cells being made up of a graphic of a given color density in a predetermined form and size; a spatial deinterleaving section configured to perform spatial deinterleaving adapted to sort the color cells arranged in the two-dimensional space in a spatially distributed manner in the acquired image; and a color decoding section configured to decode data coded in association with colors of the color cells and densities of the colors by analyzing the image with the sorted color cells as color data associated with coordinate positions in the two-dimensional space.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems of transferring information from a test strip or an element to a user or an instrumentation using at least one color encoded field. Also disclosed are methods and systems of transferring information from a batch of test strips or entities to a user or an instrumentation, wherein the batch can comprise an extra information carrying entity which can carry extensive information, and the rest entities which can comprise simplified information, such as a link information which can link the entities to the extensive information.

Abstract: The claimed invention relates generally to steganography and watermarking. One claim recites: a method including: using an electronic application program to compose an electronic version of a document; providing the document onto a substrate, the provided substrate being steganographically encoded with plural-bit auxiliary data, the steganographically encoded plural-bit auxiliary data is substantially imperceptible to casual human inspection, but is detectable through visible light imaging of the document and processing of image data thereby produced; and storing at least some of the plural-bit auxiliary data in association with data identifying a location at which the electronic version of the document is stored. Of course, other combinations are provided and claimed as well.

Abstract: A computer object such as text, graphics, mathematical formulas, images, audio, and other data and information handled inside a computer or through a computer in industry or daily life etc. is expressed, recorded, reproduced, and transmitted using color or a color numerical value. Color is used as a medium for expressing data or information taking note of the characteristics of color. This helps counter the ballooning amount of recording. Color can also be used to prepare codes.

Abstract: A peripheral interface device for determining the color of a surface, where the surface color may then be used to determine device position and identify objects. Embodiments provide a device capable of directing different colors of light (e.g., red, green and blue) onto a surface and measuring relative intensities of the reflected colors to determine the color of the surface. The reflection and measurement of each color may be performed separately. Alternatively, composite-colored light may be directed at the surface, which may then be filtered to extract the different colors and enable measurement of their relative intensities. As such, the device can detect regions of a given color and regions of different shades of the same color, which may then be used to determine the position of the device and/or identify an object.

Abstract: A technology to measure the position of a distant mark object and denote an automatic recognition data by the object. A light-emitting device includes an R (red) light, a G (green) light, and a B (blue) light emitters, and a control device for controlling their light-up states. The light-emitting device is affixed to the mark object and made to emit the lights by a predetermined light-emitting pattern. The light-emitting pattern forms a time-change optical recognition code denoting a desired data by change of the colors along the time axis. This optical recognition code is accomplished with a small area of space. Further, by photographing the light-emitting device with a CCD camera and the like, it is possible to recognize the position of the light-emitting device, that is, the position of the mark object. By carrying out this behavior continuously, it is possible to trace the movement of the mark object.

Abstract: In some aspects, a colored coded analyte sensor is provided. The analyte sensor has a body and a plurality of machine-readable colored codes associated with the body. The colored codes may contain red, green, and blue hues, which are discernable into coded information. The coded information may include the analyte sensor model, analyte sensor calibration constant, expiration or manufacture date of the analyte sensor, analyte sensor counterfeiting codes, warnings, messages to the user, etc. Colored code reading systems, apparatus and methods for reading such color-coded information associated with the analyte sensor are provided, as are numerous other aspects.

Abstract: A method that lays a certain restriction on a distance between color areas and carries out “cutting out” and “sequence recognition.” In an optical recognition code which aligns a plurality of cells to predetermined color is affixed and denotes a data by a sequence of colors, distance between the cells is stipulated to allow an easier reading-out of the code. A distance between the cells contiguous to each other is > a predetermined minimum value and < a predetermined maximum value. The distance between one of the cells and another of the contiguous cells is shorter than a distance between the one of the cells and another of the noncontiguous cells. Under these conditions, it is possible to read out the optical recognition code in the sequence of the cells by sequentially tracing the near-positioned cells with the distance as a clue.

Abstract: A method of reading and decoding scrambled and encoded two-dimensional data represented on a sheet of media as a dot matrix includes the step of detecting a data area on the sheet of media by detecting targets on the sheet of media. A bit pattern represented by the dot matrix is detected and written to generate a byte pattern. The byte pattern is descrambled to generate coded data and the data is decoded.

Abstract: Surgical sponges and other articles are provided with machine-readable information which provides a serial number or other unique identification of the sponge. In addition, the machine-readable information will provide the type of article and/or a characteristic visual motif associated with the article. That way, by scanning in the machine-readable information from the sponges or other articles prior to a procedure, the computer or other digital processor can determine which articles may be missing after the procedure and alert the surgical team as to the type and/or characteristic visual motif of the missing article.

Abstract: Systems and methods of optical code reading include production of image data by a color image sensor array and processing of the image data to decode an optical code. In one configuration, the color image sensor array includes first and second sets of sensor pixels sensitive to light having wavelengths within, respectively, first and second wavelength bands, reflected light is focused by an optical system to form an image of an optical code on the color image sensor array, first and second sets of image data representing light intensity levels sensed by, respectively, the first and second sets of sensor pixels are produced, and the first set of image data is processed to determine whether the second set of image data is to be used in combination with the first set of image data to decode the optical code.

Abstract: An automatic reader system, apparatus, and method for the identification and authentication of articles enabling automatic collection and processing of code data associated with microparticle marks, automatic determination of the code from the code data associated with microparticle marks, and automatic retrieval of reference information associated with the code.

Abstract: An optical code reader includes a color image sensor array having first and second sets of pixels arranged along multiple parallel axes of a first axes group and multiple parallel axes of a second axes group transverse to the first axes group. The pixels of the first set produce data representing sensed light intensity values. In one configuration, the optical code reader includes a single-axis interpolator to produce interpolated intensity values that correspond to selected locations of pixels of the second set. The single-axis interpolator is operable to produce an interpolated intensity value for a selected location by using only intensity values sensed by pixels of the first set that share an axis of the first axes group with the selected location.

Abstract: A computer object such as text, graphics, mathematical formulas, images, audio, and other data and information handled inside a computer or through a computer in industry or daily life etc. is expressed, recorded, reproduced, and transmitted using color or a color numerical value. Color is used as a medium for expressing data or information taking note of the characteristics of color. This helps counter the ballooning amount of recording. Color can also be used to prepare codes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing graphical indicators and interactive systems for utilizing the graphical indicators. On the surface of an object, visually negligible graphical indicators are provided. The graphical indicators and main information, i.e. text or pictures, co-exist on the surface of object. The graphical indicators do not interfere with the main information when the perception of human eyes are concerned. With the graphical indicators, further information other than the main information on the surface of object are carried. In addition to the main information on the surface of object, one is able to obtain additional information through an auxiliary electronic device or trigger an interactive operation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing graphical indicators and interactive systems for utilizing the graphical indicators. On the surface of an object, visually negligible graphical indicators are provided. The graphical indicators and main information, i.e. text or pictures, co-exist on the surface of object. The graphical indicators do not interfere with the main information when the perception of human eyes are concerned. With the graphical indicators, further information other than the main information on the surface of object are carried. In addition to the main information on the surface of object, one is able to obtain additional information through an auxiliary electronic device or trigger an interactive operation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing graphical indicators and interactive systems for utilizing the graphical indicators. On the surface of an object, visually negligible graphical indicators are provided. The graphical indicators and main information, i.e. text or pictures, co-exist on the surface of object. The graphical indicators do not interfere with the main information when the perception of human eyes are concerned. With the graphical indicators, further information other than the main information on the surface of object are carried. In addition to the main information on the surface of object, one is able to obtain additional information through an auxiliary electronic device or trigger an interactive operation.