Device and its use for creation, output and management of 2d barcodes with embedded images

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for producing a 2D (2-Dimensional) code with an embedded image for an automated machine generated process, comprising a processor that produces the 2D code with an embedded image by:
 i) obtaining character string information to be encoded for a 2D code and graphic data to be embedded in the described 2D code;   ii) reducing the obtained character string information;   ii) generating a 2D code by encoding the obtained information; and   iii) embedding the image of a predetermined size and optionally alignment at a predetermined location on the 2D code, wherein the image is of a size and alignment that allows for the code to be decoded properly.   
     
     
         2 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the system generates a plurality of same or different 2D codes with same or different images, wherein all the images embedded in the 2D codes have the same size and alignment. 
     
     
         3 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the system generates both a plurality of same codes and plurality of different codes. 
     
     
         4 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the system generates the 2D codes with different character string information. 
     
     
         5 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the system generates a same image on a plurality of codes that are different. 
     
     
         6 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the system generates a same image on a plurality of identical 2D codes. 
     
     
         7 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein all images are produced with a same maximum size possible without substantially diminishing the accuracy of decoding the 2D codes. 
     
     
         8 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of space covered by the image compared to the code is about 1/3 to about 1/2. 
     
     
         9 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of space covered by the image compared to the code is about 1/9. 
     
     
         10 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein tentative alignment and error calculation are not necessary due to the code and image having predetermined locations. 
     
     
         11 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the image is selected from the group consisting at least one of a letter, multiple letters or initials, a word, a keyboard symbol, an icon, an emblem, a shape, a design, a logo, a trademark, a face, an avatar, a picture, a brand, a number, a plurality of numbers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the code has about 0 to about 50 characters. 
     
     
         13 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the 2D code is a QR code. 
     
     
         14 . A system as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a memory for storing a program to be executed by a processor, and an interface that facilitates viewing a 2D code with an embedded image. 
     
     
         15 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of space covered by the image compared to the code is about 1/3 to about 1/12; and 
     
     
         16 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the code has less than about 100 characters. 
     
     
         17 . A method for producing a 2D (2 Dimensional) code with an embedded image by an automated machine generated process, comprising:
 i) obtaining character string information to be encoded for a 2D code and graphic data to be embedded in the described 2D code;   ii) generating a 2D code by encoding the obtained information; and   iii) embedding the image of a predetermined size and optionally alignment at a predetermined location in the 2D code, wherein the image is of a size that allows for the code to be properly decoded.   
     
     
         18 . A system for producing a 2D (2-Dimensional) code with an embedded image for an automated machine generated process, comprising a processor that produces the 2D code with an embedded image by:
 i) obtaining character string information to be encoded for a 2D code and graphic data to be embedded in the described 2D code;   ii) determining based on a number of characters where graphic data can be placed on a 2D code and a maximum size of the embedded image; and   iii) generating the 2D code with the embedded image.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the system blocks certain positions for embedding an image, allowing the image to be embedded elsewhere on the 2D code.