Hybrid two-dimensional barcode reader

An apparatus for extracting a data sequence from a hybrid two-dimensional barcode image, the hybrid two-dimensional barcode image having first blocks of pixels, corresponding to control features of a first two-dimensional barcode format, and second blocks of pixels in a data format different from one or more data formats of the first two-dimensional barcode format, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory, coupled to the processor, the memory including instructions, upon execution by the processor, configuring the apparatus to:
• decode the first blocks of pixels to obtain control features of the hybrid two-dimensional barcode image according to the first two-dimensional barcode format;
• determine, from the obtained control features, a value indicating the data format of the second blocks of pixels wherein the value indicating the data format of the second blocks of pixels is not a valid data format value of the first two-dimensional barcode format;
• and
• extract the data sequence from the second blocks of pixels according to the data format of the second blocks of pixels.