An optical code scanner being operated using an algorithm is provided. The scanner may scan an optical label. The label may include machine-readable code. The scanner may derive a single set of instructions from the code or multiple sets of instructions from the code. The scanner may process the code. The processing may upload a set of instructions from the code to the scanner and store the set of instructions in an instructions library. The scanner may also derive a picture associated with the instructions and store the picture in the library. The scanner may display a plurality of pictures. Each of the pictures may correspond to a set of uploaded instructions stored on the scanner. Each of the plurality of pictures may be selectable by a user. In response to a user selection of a picture, the scanner may be configured to execute the uploaded instructions that correspond to the selected picture.

Generating a 2D barcode includes acquiring private information input by a user and sending the private information to a server through a network. The method includes receiving an information access address returned through the network by the server, and generating a 2D barcode including the information access address. The method further includes acquiring a 2D barcode including an information access address and scanning the 2D barcode to obtain the information access address included in the 2D barcode, the information access address being for accessing private information. The method further includes sending the information access address to a server through a network, and receiving the private information returned through the network by the server, and using the private information as a reading result of the 2D barcode.

There is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium tangibly embodying machine-readable visual representation of data encoded therein, the data being retrievable by reading and decoding the visual representation by a visual code reader, the visual representation including: multiple function patterns; a first visual code comprising a first encoded message embedded therein, and a first subset of the function patterns, such that reading the first encoded message requires reading the first function patterns subset; and a second visual code comprising a second encoded message embedded therein, and a second subset of the function patterns, such that reading the second encoded message requires reading the second function patterns set, wherein the first function patterns subset and the second function patterns subset have at least one common function pattern, and wherein at least a part of the second visual code event occurs.

An example method is described in which a processor receives a first plurality of symbols selected from a first set of symbols, translates the first plurality of symbols into a second plurality of symbols selected from an M-ary cyclic symbol set, and writes the second plurality of symbols to a surface. An additional example method is described in which a processor captures an image of at least a portion of a surface, detects a first plurality of symbols from the image, where the first plurality of symbols comprises symbols selected from an M-ary cyclic symbol set, translates the first plurality of symbols into a second plurality of symbols selected from a second set of symbols, and performs at least one task responsive to the second plurality of symbols.

A method and system are proposed for presenting information relating to a product to a potential customer for the product, upon the user scanning a 2D barcode using a mobile device. The information is presented to the customer as a story generated by an agent-based storytelling system. The story is personalized to the customer using online multimedia. It can be used to conduct mobile branding and advertisement, and is able thereby to augment offline shopping with online shopping experience.

A surface is laser-etched to convey a 2D machine-readable code pattern. Various strategies are detailed to minimize the etching time. Some strategies include modifying the code pattern to reduce a path length traveled by the laser. Some strategies include modifying the code pattern to make it sub-optimal, i.e., making the code pattern a less-faithful approximation of an ideal code pattern. In some embodiments the etched surface is the surface of a plastic container, and the code pattern conveys information indicating the type of plastic of which the container is manufactured. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

The described device allows a user to set preference and receive the preferences by simply allowing a payment device to communicate with a preference reader.

Provided is a Device a System, applications and an associated Ecosystem for the consistent and reliable production, creation, generation, management and utilization of two-dimensional (‘2D’) barcodes (‘Codes’) featuring embedded Images, designating the alignment position and alignment size of the embedding Images in 2D Codes and enabling the corresponding outputted Code files by the Device System to be downloaded and or showcased digitally within all forms of digital advertising, media, television, mobile telephony and the world wide web as well as integrated with the production processes for consumer products and packaged goods, printed products, merchandise and other items featuring such 2D Codes creating a public telecommunications platform and or private intranet services featuring a searchable database, directory and or registry of the 2D Codes with embedded Images that have been created by, produced by and outputted by the Device or System.

This disclosure relates to a system, method, and computer-readable device configured to receive demographic and geographical information and create a unique global address therefrom. For example, the system comprises at least one processor configured to receive account information describing the remote user and global location data describing a remote location, validate the received information and data, determine navigational data, create a location code, and send the location code to a remote device.

A bowling enhancement system is for a bowling lane, and may include a mobile device, an image sensor arranged over the bowling lane and configured to generate image data of the bowling lane, projectors arranged over the bowling lane and configured to generate a set of projected images onto the bowling lane, and a server. The server may be configured to cause a given projector to project a pairing token onto the bowling lane, when receiving the pairing token from the mobile device, establish a communication link with the mobile device to receive a given game characteristic from the mobile wireless communications device, determine a tracking path of a bowling ball traveling on the bowling lane based upon the image data, and selectively change the set of projected images based upon the tracking path of the bowling ball and the given game characteristic.