Technology for generating, reading, and using machine-readable codes is disclosed. There is a method, performed by an image capture device, for reading and using the codes. The method includes obtaining an image, identifying an area in the image having a machine-readable code. The method also includes, within the image area, finding a predefined start marker defining a start point and a predefined stop marker defining a stop point, an axis being defined there between. A plurality of axis points can be defined along the axis. For each axis point, a first distance within the image area to a mark is determined. The distance can be measured from the axis point in a first direction which is orthogonal to the axis. The first distances can be converted to a binary code using Gray code such that each first distance encodes at least one bit of data in the code.

A system contributing to prevention of unauthorized use of an information code displayed on a screen. In the system, an information code display device cyclically displays a plurality of partial code images on a display screen of a display unit based on a first rule when the first rule is received from a server in response to a first request to the server. Accordingly, an information code reading device captures images of the display screen at imaging intervals according to a second rule which is received from the server by in response to a second request to the server to decode an information code composed of the plurality of images thus captured, according to the second rule.

An encoded substrate to be filmed by a camera device for generating an image is provided. The encoded substrate includes a plurality of grids arranged in a form of two-dimensional array, wherein each grid includes a first pattern and a second pattern not overlapped with each other. The first pattern corresponds to a first-dimensional encoded value, and the second pattern corresponds to a second-dimensional encoded value. The image is processed by a processor for scanning the plurality of grids. In a first-dimensional direction, the processor outputs a first coordinate according to at least two first patterns corresponding to at least two consecutive grids among the plurality of grids. In a second- dimensional direction, the processor outputs a second coordinate according to at least two second patterns corresponding to at least two consecutive grids among the plurality of grids.

Technology for generating, reading, and using machine-readable codes is disclosed. There is a method, performed by an image capture device, for reading and using the codes. The method includes obtaining an image, identifying an area in the image having a machine-readable code. The method also includes, within the image area, finding a predefined start marker defining a start point and a predefined stop marker defining a stop point, an axis being defined there between. A plurality of axis points can be defined along the axis. For each axis point, a first distance within the image area to a mark is determined. The distance can be measured from the axis point in a first direction which is orthogonal to the axis. The first distances can be converted to a binary code using Gray code such that each first distance encodes at least one bit of data in the code.

A method of decoding a coherent RGB color barcode captured by a RGB camera includes: displaying a coherent RGB color barcode on the RGB display; capturing an image of the displayed barcode; performing a pilot block RGB color interference cancellation process to estimate a per pixel color interference; applying the per pixel color interference to the image of the displayed coherent RGB color barcode to extract each separate barcode of the coherent RGB color barcode; binarizing each of the three separate monochrome grey images of each barcode of the coherent RGB color barcode; and decoding each of the three separate binarized monochrome grey images to provide a decoded data for each barcode of the coherent RGB color barcode displayed on the RGB display. A method of decoding an incoherent RGB color barcode captured by a mobile device RGB camera is also described.

Disclosed are various embodiments of a multi-scale fiducial. A multi-scale fiducial may have three or more scales, where the child fiducials are nested or otherwise linked by a relative position to the parent fiducials. Multi-scale fiducials may facilitate target identification and tracking at varying distances, potentially without the aid of a scale-invariant recognition algorithm. One application of multi-scale fiducials may involve target identification for autonomously controlled aerial vehicles.

A method of assisting in focusing a three dimensional camera system on an object within a field of view is disclosed. The process involves at the camera system, determining a distance D in a z direction, within the field of view, to a current focal plane; and rendering to a display, an aimer graphic element with the Z direction distance equal to D in a manner that causes the aimer graphic element to move in the Z direction with changes in the focal plane.

An indicia reading terminal has a three-dimensional depth sensor, a two dimensional image sensor, an autofocus lens assembly, and a processor. The three dimensional depth sensor captures a depth image of a field of view and create a depth map from the depth image, the depth map having one or more surface distances. The two dimensional image sensor receives incident light and capture an image therefrom. The autofocusing lens assembly is positioned proximate to the two dimensional image sensor such that the incident light passes through the autofocusing lens before reaching the two dimensional image sensor. The processor is communicatively coupled to the two dimensional image sensor, the three dimensional depth sensor, and the autofocusing lens assembly.

A retroreflective element, for example a retroreflector or a retroreflective film, includes a regular arrangement of multiple reflective triples, each having three side surfaces that form an angle between 88° and 92°, preferably between 89° 50′ and 90° 10′ relative to one another, and particularly preferably stand perpendicularly on one another. At least one selected triple in the arrangement has a security element having at least one diffractive structure on at least one first side surface. A modulation depth of the security element is selected in such a manner that the security element cannot be perceived when the retroreflective element is illuminated at an illumination angle <10°.

A computer implemented method and apparatus for storing and retrieving data embedded into the surface of a 3D printed object is described. The method and apparatus develops an electronic file used for printing a 3D object which embeds as structure into the 3D object, a 3D symbol matrix representative of data to be printed concurrently with the 3D object, such as a 3D barcode. A selected symbology is used for making the symbol matrix in accordance with the type of printing process to be used to print the 3D object.