Mixed Code, and Method and Apparatus for Generating the Same

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.

21 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . An apparatus for decoding a color code image, comprising:
 a camera; and   a controller configured to:   capture, via the camera, the color code image obtained by overlapping a first image and a second image in a region,   wherein the first image reflects a construction information regarding the second image and made by using at least one of color, shape, shading and pattern,   wherein a first portion of the second image reflects a first information, and a second portion of the second image reflects a second information,   obtain the construction information from the first image,   obtain the first information from the first portion of the second image, wherein a position of the first portion of the second image is determined according to the construction information.   
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the first image is obtained by encoding the construction information and the first portion of the second image is obtained by encoding the first information. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the controller recognizes the first image by distinguish, using a predetermined threshold, the at least one of the color, shape, shading and pattern of the first image from the overlapped region and obtains the construction information from the recognized first image. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the first information is made by using at least one of a character, a number, a sign, an image and a URL, and wherein the second information is made by using at least one of a character, a number, a sign, a symbol, a trade mark and an image. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the construction information is used for extracting the first information from the second information. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the construction information includes a code type information, a position information and a orientation information of a first portion of the second image. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the shape of the first region of the second image is determined according to the code type information. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein whether the first region of the second image is a black-and-white region or a color region is determined according to the code type information. 
     
     
         52 . A method for decoding a color code image, comprising:
 capturing the color code image obtained by overlapping a first image and a second image in a region,   wherein the first image reflects a construction information regarding the second image and made by using at least one of color, shape, shading and pattern,   wherein a first portion of the second image reflects a first information, and a second portion of the second image reflects a second information;   obtaining the construction information from the first image; and   obtaining the first information from the first portion of the second image, wherein a position of the first portion of the second image is determined according to the construction information.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the first image is obtained by encoding the construction information and the first portion of the second image is obtained by encoding the first information. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising:
 recognizing the first image by distinguish, using a predetermined threshold, the at least one of the color, shape, shading and pattern of the first image from the overlapped region and obtains the construction information from the recognized first image.   
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the first information is made by using at least one of a character, a number, a sign, an image and a URL, and wherein the second information is made by using at least one of a character, a number, a sign, a symbol, a trade mark and an image. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the construction information is used for extracting the first information from the second information. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the construction information includes a code type information, a position information and a orientation information of a first portion of the second image. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the shape of the first region of the second image is determined according to the code type information. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein whether the first region of the second image is a black-and-white region or a color region is determined according to the code type information.