Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a searchable electronic record of a locate operation in which a locate technician, using one or more physical locate marks, identifies a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. A digital image of a geographic area comprising the dig area is electronically received, and at least a portion of the received digital image is displayed on a display device. Location information regarding an identified location of the at least one physical locate mark is also electronically received and, based at least in part on the received location information, one or more digital representations of the identified location of the physical locate mark(s) is/are included in the displayed digital image so as to generate a marked-up digital image. Information relating to the marked-up digital image is electronically stored and/or electronically transmitted so as to generate the searchable electronic record of the locate operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for using at least one response bubble on a response form to indicate one or more responses. The response form has a key definition area that includes one or more response bubbles corresponding to one or more intended responses, and a response area that includes one or more response bubbles for indicating intended responses. A response form is completed by defining an unambiguous symbology of one or more marks by completing the key definition area, and filling in the response area using the defined unambiguous symbology. The response form is then electronically imaged. The unambiguous symbology is then automatically interpreted from the key definition area of the response form. The indicated intended responses of the one or more response bubbles of the completed response form are automatically interpreted using the interpreted unambiguous symbology, and the electronically imaged completed response form.

Abstract: A method includes receiving into a computer processor a building control subsystem design drawing, and identifying a plurality of objects in the building control subsystem design drawing by comparing the objects to a template of objects. The template of objects includes one or more of a representation of a shape, a color, and a texture. A physical relationship among the plurality of objects is determined, and a three dimensional representation of the plurality of objects is retrieved from a three dimensional device library. A three dimensional building control subsystem graphic is generated by mapping the three dimensional representation of the plurality of objects into a three dimensional user interface as a function of the physical relationship. The three dimensional user interface is animated and interactive to monitor and control a building subsystem.

Abstract: Page load time analysis. The analysis may allow a web page designer to determine improvements that could be made to the web page to decrease load time, and perhaps identify the modules or components that are critical paths in decreasing page load time. The analysis is performed based on the monitoring of multiple requests associated with a page request. The user may be notified of the graph or the results of analysis of the graph. The user may then determine whether the page load time can be improved.

Abstract: Approaches for generating a digital image that facilitates data analysis. An application may arrange values of one or more data sets into a table based on a selected set of columns. The application may apply one or more formulas to each cell to generate a second table that has a single value in each cell. The application maps, for each cell of the second table, the value stored therein to an attribute (such as a color). The application may generate a digital image by determining a color for each pixel of the digital image based on how the cells are mapped to colors. The digital image enables data analysis, such as the identification of trends, patterns, and/or anomalies, on any number of data sets in an expeditious and intuitive manner. The digital image may be dynamically updated to reflect further analysis or incremental updates to the data sets.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for parallel computing of a line of sight (LoS) map (e.g., view-shed) in a parallel computing system. For example, a method for computing an LoS map comprises the following steps. Data representing at least one image is obtained. An observation point in the at least one image is identified. A portion of the data that is associated with a given area in the image is partitioned into a plurality of sub-areas. The plurality of sub-areas are assigned to a plurality of processor elements of a parallel computing system, respectively, such that the data associated with each one of the plurality of sub-areas is processed independent from the data associated with each other of the plurality of sub-areas, wherein results of the processing by the processor elements represents the LoS map. The parallel computing system may be a multicore processor.

Abstract: Systems, devices, applications, and methods for generating an open area map are disclosed. For example, a software application is configured to run on a computing platform of an end user. The end user generates an image of a layout of a walkable area. The software application performs a method of generating an open area map based on the image. The method includes applying an array of uniformly spaced objects on the image. A routable map is generated as a function of the array. The routable map is configured to provide point-to-point routing within the layout.

Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for mapping water table depths. In one implementation, a satellite image of an area of interest may be received. The satellite image may comprise a red spectrum, a green spectrum and a blue spectrum. A first map may be generated that identifies only water features on the satellite image. The first map may be convolved with a digital elevation model of the area of interest to generate a second map. The second map may identify elevations of the water features on the satellite image. An interpolation algorithm may be applied to the second map to generate a third map. The third map may identify water tables and elevations for the water tables on the satellite image.

Abstract: A geospatial data system may include at least one geospatial data storage device containing three-dimensional (3D) geospatial structure data, and also containing geospatial texture data associated with the geospatial 3D structure data and being retrievable in successive additive layers of resolution. The system may further include at least one geospatial data access device comprising a display and a processor cooperating therewith for communicating remotely with the at least one geospatial data storage device to retrieve and display a scene on the display based upon the 3D structure data and the geospatial texture data associated therewith. The geospatial texture data may advantageously be retrieved and displayed in successive additive layers of resolution.

Abstract: An image reproduction apparatus for displaying images of image files including an image of a target point to be observed by using image files located adjacent to the target point. A method of reproducing an image of an image file on an electronic map including the image file so that position information of the image file matches position information on the electronic map includes: (a) selecting a target point to be observed on the electronic map and obtaining position information of the target point; (b) setting a search range of image files on the electronic map; (c) searching for image files including an image of the target point within the set search range; and (d) displaying images of the found image files on the electronic map.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and tools for proofing computer-aided design (CAD) objects (e.g., CAD drawings or models). The objects are implemented with CAD software and represent an apparatus. An exemplary method includes receiving a CAD object representing the apparatus, determining criteria for proofing the CAD object, determining rules, extracting items of interest from the CAD object, and comparing the extracted items with the rules. An example item of interest is a drawing note on the CAD object and an example rule includes a plurality of keywords.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A computing system presents graphical content on a display device. The computing system determines a change in distance between a user of the computing system and a camera by tracking a visible physical feature of the user through a series of images that are captured by the camera. The computing system determines that the user has physically contacted a user input device. The computing system modifies the graphical content to change (a) a level of detail of the graphical content based on the determined change in distance between the user and the camera, and (b) boundaries of a displayed region of the graphical content based on the determined physical contact with the user input device. The computing system presents the modified graphical content for display by the display device.

Abstract: A system and method for aligning maps using polyline matching is provided. A global map and a local map are represented as polyline maps including a plurality of line segments. One or more approximate matches between the polyline maps are identified. One or more refined matches are determined from the approximate matches. The global map and the local map are aligned at the one or more refined matches.

Abstract: Provided is a computer system and method for mapping a visual path. The method includes receiving one or more images included in a predefined area; receiving one or more parameters associated with the image; and integrating the images and parameters into a map of the predefined area to enable mapping the visual path through the predefined area in response to one or more input path parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, which comprises the capturing of image data representing a physical object using an electronic device. First visual objects are determined in the image data. Second objects are determined among the first visual objects. Position information is determined for the second visual objects within the physical object. Third visual object are obtained based on the position information from object data storage. The third visual objects are matched to the first visual objects and differences between third visual objects and the first visual object are indicated to a user.

Abstract: Improvements to an installation process for an engineered system involve consolidation of the number of visits to a work site by field staff and/or particular work performed in a given site visit. A site visit manifest is generated to provide electronic documentation of pre-installation and/or installation activity. Various types of electronic information may be generated and/or collected in connection with any of multiple possible phases of a given installation at a particular work site for purposes of generating a site visit manifest. Additionally, different information components of a site visit manifest may be selectively viewed/accessed (e.g., based on different levels of permission or access-rights) to facilitate one or more of review of the work performed, quality, productivity and/or cost assessments of same, and billing functions. Particular examples of improved processes relating to installation of Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) subscriber drops are provided.

Abstract: Automatic conflation systems and techniques which provide vector-imagery conflation and map-imagery conflation. Vector-imagery conflation is an efficient approach that exploits knowledge from multiple data sources to identify a set of accurate control points. Vector-imagery conflation provides automatic and accurate alignment of various vector datasets and imagery, and is appropriate for GIS applications, for example, requiring alignment of vector data and imagery over large geographical regions. Map-imagery conflation utilizes common vector datasets as “glue” to automatically integrate street maps with imagery. This approach provides automatic, accurate, and intelligent images that combine the visual appeal and accuracy of imagery with the detailed attribution information often contained in such diverse maps. Both conflation approaches are applicable for GIS applications requiring, for example, alignment of vector data, raster maps, and imagery.

Abstract: A manifest including an electronic file associated with a geographic location and a portion of the geographic location indicating a dig area is provided. The manifest includes indicia noting a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within the dig area.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to collecting images of maps at plurality of client devices, orienting the images with respect to the Earth, and providing the oriented maps to users. The map images may be collected by users who orient the maps by arranging the position of the image over a picture of the Earth. In another example, users may orient the maps by using “pushpins” to indicate the location of two or more points in the map image to two or more locations on the image of the Earth. The images may be processed in order to generate high quality images which may then be downloaded and used by other users.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a hidden image product, an identification device which shows the hidden image information, an identification system, the produce method of the produce and the identification equipment, the identification equipment contains a single layer or multi-layer lens with the specified array micro-structure. The produce contains the array pixels with same-level array-distance corresponding with the identification equipment array micro-structure. The selected area of the array pixels and the identification equipment array micro-structure has the entirely or partly controlling phase excursion, shows the micro-structure or the hidden image in the pixel when the array of pixels of the product or the array of the identification equipment array micro-structure is superposition or spacedly squaring with distance. The invention overcomes the low anti-false precision and the inconvenience of the existing hidden image identification technique.

Abstract: Images may be sorted and categorized by defining a frustum for each image and overlaying the frustums in two, three, or four dimensions to create a density map and identify points of interest. Images that contain a point of interest may be grouped, sorted, and categorized to determine representative images of the point. By including many images from different sources, common points of interest may be defined. Points of interest may be defined in two or three Euclidian dimensions, or may include a dimension of time.

Abstract: An image reproduction apparatus for displaying images of image files including an image of a target point to be observed by using image files located adjacent to the target point. A method of reproducing an image of an image file on an electronic map including the image file so that position information of the image file matches position information on the electronic map includes: (a) selecting a target point to be observed on the electronic map and obtaining position information of the target point; (b) setting a search range of image files on the electronic map; (c) searching for image files including an image of the target point within the set search range; and (d) displaying images of the found image files on the electronic map.

Abstract: An approach is provided for custom zooming of geographic representation. A custom zooming application determines an input specifying a level of zoom for rendering a geographic representation presented at a device, the geographic representation including a plurality of objects. The custom zooming application determines respective degrees of relevance of the plurality of objects based, at least in part, on the device, a user of the device, related context information, or a combination thereof. The custom zooming application determines to render one or more of the plurality of objects with at least one different level of visibility with respect to other ones of the plurality of objects based, at least in part, on the respective degrees of relevance, the level of zoom, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Particularly applicable to the implementation of sustainability requirements concerning on the promotion of the use of bioproduct from renewable sources, through the system and method described is possible to ensure that the origin of raw materials is sustainable (according to a previously defined sustainability requirements), avoiding travel to the area of interest, thus saving time and economic costs and preventing errors and fraud. More specifically, the system and method object of the invention are particularly applicable for identifying those areas that comply with said sustainability requirements. Said sustainability requirements state that raw material intended for bioproduct shall not be made from lands with a high biodiversity, high carbon stock or peatlands, and bearing in mind additionally the land use requirement.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for validating and correcting map data using oblique images or aerial photographs taken at oblique angles to the earth's surface. Pixels within oblique images can be analyzed to detect, validate, and correct other sources of data used in generating maps such as vector data, elevation maps, projection parameters, and three-dimensional model data. Visibility and occlusion information in oblique views may be analyzed to reduce errors in either occluding or occluded entities. Occlusion of road segments due to foliage, z-ordering of freeways, tunnels, bridges, buildings, and other geospatial entities may be determined, validated, and corrected. A learning algorithm can be trained with image-based descriptors that encode visible data consistencies. After training, the algorithm can classify errors and inconsistencies using combinations of different descriptors such as color, texture, image-gradients, and filter responses.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. At least one marked-up digital image of a geographic area including the dig area, the image including at least one indicator to delimit the dig area, is electronically processed by converting the at least one indicator to a plurality of geographic coordinates representing the delimited dig area. Information relating to a locate request ticket identifying the dig area to be excavated is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored, wherein the locate request ticket includes image data and non-image data associated with the dig area. The image data includes the at least one marked-up digital image of the geographic area surrounding the dig area, and the non-image data includes the plurality of geographic coordinates representing the delimited dig area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location, which may be remote from the dig area. The source data is processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device. One or more indicators are added to the displayed input image(s), via a user input device associated with the display device, to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image. The marked-up digital image may be electronically bundled with information from a corresponding ticket. A descriptor file may be used to identify one or more marked-up images corresponding to a ticket.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus may include the following elements: an image information obtaining unit which obtains image information having at least position information added thereto as additional information, a map information storage unit which stores map information, a template information storage unit which stores template information including a template of content information, a map information obtaining unit which obtains map information corresponding to the position information added to the image information obtained by the image information obtaining unit from the map information stored in the map information storage unit, and a content information creating unit which creates content information using at least the map information obtained by the map information obtaining unit on the basis of the template information.

Abstract: A house change judging method is provided for judging a change of a house in a data acquisition region based on new and old data concerning two periods, which have been aerially acquired, including: extracting as a judgment target region a predetermined region in the new data by trimming with house polygon data corresponding to a predetermined region prepared in advance; computing, after the extraction, as evaluation values, two kinds of new and old difference values between the two periods with respect to a gradation value of color image data and an altitude value of altitude data across the entire judgment target region; and judging, after the computation, based on the evaluation values, whether a house change has occurred in the judgment target region by referring to a judging table including combinations of two kinds of preset evaluation criterion values.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for restoration of a digital image. In one embodiment, a method for repairing a defect in a digital image to provide a restored image comprises determining a plurality of pixel locations to form a neighborhood relating to the defect and whether or not the neighborhood has a well-defined, dark border along its edge. Should the neighborhood not have dark border, one embodiment of the method entails processing the neighborhood to bring the neighborhood approximately to uniform darkness, processing the neighborhood to match surroundings in the digital image, copying an edge of a neighborhood in the digital image into the processed neighborhood, processing pixels of the edge to repair the copied edge pixels, and outputting the restored image for display to a user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location, which may be remote from the dig area. The source data is processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device at the first user location. One or more indicators are added to the displayed input image(s), via a user input device associated with the display device, to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image. In one example, the indicator(s) is/are added to the displayed input image(s) without acquiring geographic coordinates corresponding to the indicator(s).

Abstract: Two images are stitched together through minimization of a cost function that consists of registration errors from image data of the two images, as well as the estimated errors from a set of sensors. The weight function in the cost function is derived from the confidence value of sensor estimation that considers the sensor errors including lift and off page as well as a measure of accuracy of the sensor readings. Weights are used to adjust image registration accuracy against sensor accuracy to produce a set of registration parameters that would best stitch the two images together. In order to handle large errors for initial registration parameters and to avoid local minima in the minimization process, the image pair may be registered in a lower resolution and then refined in a higher resolution.

Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for mapping glacial geomorphology. A satellite image of an area of interest may be received. A digital elevation model of the area of interest may be received. Plains and ridges may be identified on the digital elevation model. Swamps and forest may be identified on the satellite image. A glaciological map may be generated having glacial features based on the identified plains, ridges, swamps and forest.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture for illustrating progress in achieving a goal of a system modeled by a computer program. In one embodiment, the invention is evidenced by a method comprising the steps of displaying a widget wherein the widget comprises a center portion representing a category of data represented by the computer program and the category of data includes n data points that must be fulfilled to achieve the goal and an outer portion, comprising a segment representing each one of the n data points; and updating the widget to represent each of the n data points that has been fulfilled by delineating each segment representing a fulfilled data point requirement from each segment representing a non-fulfilled data point requirement.

Abstract: A method for realigning network elements in a digital map based on a new data set using active contour manipulation techniques. The active contour optimization process is controlled so that certain desirable features in the original shape of the active contour(s) are not distorted. In the case of network features which may be represented by two or more open active contours, the active contours are coupled prior to optimizing so that the original desirable shape, e.g., the parallel spacing of lanes in a dual carriageway road, may be maintained during the optimization process. In the case of certain closed active contours, for example roundabout geometries, a single closed active contour may be coupled to itself by linking its control points one-to-another and maintaining a proportional direction and distance movement during the optimizing process. As a result, data base networks can be assessed and aligned with less difficulty and geometric distortion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a true-scale, coordinate-matched, linked in real-time, dual three-dimensional/two-dimensional visual display/viewer. The display simultaneously shows a 3D digital image and an associated 2D digital image of a selected drawing. The display of the present invention allows a user to visualize an asset's location, surrounding environment and hazards and true scale structural details for interior or external structural scenes. Using the display and associated tools, the user can obtain real-time information of an environment, true-scale measurement, plan ingress/egress paths, shortest paths between points and the number of doorways in a structure and track objects within the displayed environment. The intelligence gained using the tools and 3D/2D display may be used and further manipulated by a single user or may be distributed to other users.

Abstract: An image generating apparatus includes: a correction unit configured to correct point information indicating correspondence between a plurality of pieces of point information indicating feature points of subjects in an image and a plurality of pieces of distance information of the respective pieces of point information so as to reduce the pieces of distance information belonging to a distance range that is longer than a distance indicated by a specific distance information included in the pieces of distance information; an image information generation unit configured to generate image information for expressing a three-dimensional image based on the point information corrected by the correction unit; and a display unit configured to display the three-dimensional image based on the image information generated by the image information generation unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a map from landmarks. The method and apparatus may involve the use of a processor circuit. An embodiment may consist of a platform with a processor circuit, and various different sensors for landmark generation that are known to the art such as a plurality of cameras and/or laser rangefinders. Landmarks are stored in a data structure with their past untransformed landmarks. New landmark data is matched using previous stored untransformed landmarks. Generally current position is only used for matching when backtracking or closing the loop. Landmarks are grouped with other landmarks that are visible in the same time interval. In these groups, dynamic landmarks are identified computationally efficiently using binning. Using basis landmarks in a group, a map relative to these basis landmarks is generated that is translation and rotation invariant. These relative maps are linked together to form a global map.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for aligning images of one resolution based on both features contained in the images and the alignment of related images of a different resolution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a depth tile are provided. In some aspects, a system includes an alignment module configured to map each pixel of a depthmap to a corresponding pixel of a map tile. Each pixel of the depthmap includes a depth value, and each pixel of the map tile is associated with a terrain elevation value. The system also includes a transform module configured to adjust the depth value of each pixel of the depthmap based on a corresponding terrain elevation value. The system also includes a depth tile module configured to generate the depth tile. Each pixel of the depth tile includes a corresponding adjusted depth value.

Abstract: A print defect management device that supports job-specific print defect management automatically assesses print job pages to determine the severity of image quality defects likely to occur on one or more selected printers. Views of identified troubled pages may be rendered to include approximations of color and image quality defects based on the original page image data, and each printer's color rendition data and defect data, thereby allowing troubled pages for one or more selected printers to be viewed prior to printing. Suggested changes may be automatically or manually applied. Once satisfied with the image quality of print job pages rendered for a specific printer, a user may submit the print job to the same printer, thereby assuring that the user's image quality expectations are met in the printed product. The device may support job-specific print defect management with both local and/or remote printers via LAN, WAN and/or Internet based connectivity.

Abstract: A method for constructing a georeferencing-enabled camera model and its deployment in georeferencing targets located in video sequences due to a single video camera. A video surveillance camera is modeled by a collection of rays converging at a virtual camera point and the retina resolution cell coordinates associated with those rays wherein the ray equations are first established, in the course of a calibration process, for a given camera view, with the aid of other views of the same video surveillance camera, as necessary, and using such a model for mapping image coordinates to terrain coordinates and vice versa in the intended view or its adaptation for use in other views of the same video surveillance camera.

Abstract: Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for browsing heterogeneous map data are described herein. A method embodiment includes displaying a plurality of homogeneous images, each image representing a geographic information system (GIS) dataset comprising one or more map assets an enabling browsing of GIS datasets and map assets using said displayed images independent of underlying data formats of said GIS datasets. A system embodiment includes a map data engine configured to receive a plurality of homogeneous images, each image representing a GIS dataset comprising one or more map assets, and a user interface configured to display said images and enable browsing of GIS datasets and map assets using said displayed images independent of underlying data formats of said GIS datasets.

Abstract: This invention provides a vehicle-borne system and method for traffic sign recognition that provides greater accuracy and efficiency in the location and classification of various types of traffic signs by employing rotation and scale-invariant (RSI)-based geometric pattern-matching on candidate traffic signs acquired by a vehicle-mounted forward-looking camera and applying one or more discrimination processes to the recognized sign candidates from the pattern-matching process to increase or decrease the confidence of the recognition. These discrimination processes include discrimination based upon sign color versus model sign color arrangements, discrimination based upon the pose of the sign candidate versus vehicle location and/or changes in the pose between image frames, and/or discrimination of the sign candidate versus stored models of fascia characteristics.

Abstract: Systems, devices, applications, and methods for generating an open area map are disclosed. For example, a software application is configured to run on a computing platform of an end user. The end user generates an image of a layout of a walkable area. The software application performs a method of generating an open area map based on the image. The method includes applying an array of uniformly spaced objects on the image. A routable map is generated as a function of the array. The routable map is configured to provide point-to-point routing within the layout.

Abstract: A geospatial data system may include at least one geospatial database containing three-dimensional (3D) geospatial structure data and geospatial texture data associated with the geospatial 3D structure data. At least one geospatial data access device may also be included and comprise a display and a processor cooperating therewith for communicating remotely with the at least one geospatial database to retrieve and display a scene on the display based upon the 3D structure data and the geospatial texture data associated therewith. The geospatial data access device(s) may further comprise at least one user input device cooperating with the processor for permitting user selection of a point-of-view (POV) within the scene on the display with the POV determining revealed portions and obscured portions of 3D geospatial structures within the scene on the display. The processor may selectively retrieve geospatial texture data based upon the revealed portions and not the obscured portions.

Abstract: An interactive media display system is provided to display media associated with a selected geographic area based on a gesture input of user. The interactive media display system may include a touch-sensitive display surface configured to display a geographic map and receive a gesture input generated by a user on the touch-sensitive display surface while the geographic map is displayed, the gesture input defining a selected geographic area on the geographic map. The system may further include a controller configured, in response to the gesture input, to filter the media data based on position data to determine a filtered media data collection including media that are associated with the selected geographic area, and to command the touch-sensitive display surface to display the media in the filtered media data collection.

Abstract: A method of determining features of events or processes having a dynamic evolution in space and/or time using measurements of parameters that calculate the most probable consequences of the event or process at a certain time includes: defining a set of measurable parameters describing the effects of the event or process, characteristic of the event or process, and measurable at a certain time; defining a n-dimensional space where the parameters describing the event or process are represented by entity points; determining, as a function of the measured values of the characteristic parameters describing the event or process at the certain time, a geometrical point in the n-dimensional space forces accumulate that are generated by the evolution of the event of process in time; and displaying or printing the n-dimensional space where the characteristic parameters are shown as entity points and as a geometrical point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a captured image and, more particularly, for processing a captured image comprising a document. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprising a camera to capture documents is described. In another embodiment, a method for processing a captured image that includes a document comprises the steps of distinguishing an imaged document from its background, adjusting the captured image to reduce distortions created from use of a camera and properly orienting the document is described.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for decoding a mixed code that is a combination of first and second code images. In the method, a mixed code image is obtained by receiving the original image having the mixed code image and removing noise from the original image. Next, the colors, shades, and brightnesses of pixels of the mixed code image are categorized into groups based on a predetermined threshold, the mixed code image is divided into first and second code images, and first and second information are extracted by decoding the first and second code images, respectively. The first and second code images can be effectively decoded by decoding interpretation information, construction information, error control information, and code direction information stored in the first and/or second code images.