Machine readable visual codes encoding multiple messages

A computerized method of generating a machine-readable visual representation encoding data, the data being retrievable by reading and decoding the machine-readable visual representation by a visual code reader, the method comprising:

• determining a position for a plurality of function patterns;
• obtaining a first encoded message;
• determining a position within the machine-readable visual representation for a first visual code comprising the first encoded message and a first subset of the plurality of function patterns, in accordance with the position of the plurality of function patterns;
• obtaining a second encoded message;
• and
• determining a position within the machine-readable visual representation for a second visual code comprising the second encoded message and a second subset of the plurality of function patterns, in accordance with a position of the plurality of the function patterns,
• wherein the first subset of the plurality of function patterns and the second subset of the plurality of function patterns have at least one common function pattern.

A method of providing a printed medium having a machine-readable visual representation printed thereon, the visual representation having data encoded therein, the data being retrievable by reading and decoding the machine-readable visual representation by a visual code reader, the method comprising:

• determining a position for a plurality of function patterns;
• obtaining a first encoded message;
• determining a position within the machine-readable visual representation for a first visual code comprising the first encoded message and a first subset of the plurality of function patterns, in accordance with a position of the plurality of the function patterns;
• obtaining a second encoded message;
• and
• determining a position within the machine-readable visual representation for a second visual code comprising the second encoded message and a second subset of the plurality of function patterns, in accordance with a position of the plurality of the function patterns;
• and
• depositing on the printed medium the plurality of function patterns, the first visual code and the second visual code in a manner sensitive to at least one physical event,
• wherein the first subset of the plurality of function patterns and the second subset of the plurality of function patterns have at least one common function pattern.

A computerized method for reading a machine-readable visual representation having data encoded therein, the data being retrievable by reading and decoding the machine-readable visual representation by a visual code reader, the method comprising:

• obtaining an image;
• detecting a first visual code in the machine-readable visual representation in accordance with a position of at least a plurality of function patterns, the first visual code comprising a first encoded message and a first subset of the plurality of function patterns;
• reading the first encoded message from the first visual code;
• obtaining a first message from the first encoded message;
• detecting a second visual code in the machine-readable visual representation in accordance with a position of at least the function patterns, the second visual code comprising a second encoded message and a second subset of the plurality of function patterns;
• reading the second encoded message from the second visual code;
• obtaining a second message from the second encoded message;
• and
• responsive to the second message being read successfully, performing an action in accordance with the second message,
• wherein at least a part of the second visual code is read differently by the visual code reader before and after at least one physical event occurs, and
• wherein the first subset of the plurality of function patterns and the second subset of the plurality of function patterns have at least one common function pattern.

A computerized system for providing a printed medium having a machine-readable visual representation printed thereon, the machine-readable visual representation having data encoded therein, the data being retrievable by reading and decoding the machine-readable visual representation by a visual code reader, the system comprising a processor configured to:

• determine a position for a plurality of function patterns;
• obtain a first encoded message;
• determine a position within the machine-readable visual representation for a first visual code comprising the first encoded message and a first subset of the plurality of function patterns, in accordance with a position of the plurality of the function patterns;
• obtain a second encoded message;
• and
• determine a position within the machine-readable visual representation for a second visual code comprising the second encoded message and a second subset of the plurality of function patterns, in accordance with a position of the plurality of the function patterns;
• and
• deposit on the printed medium the plurality of function patterns, the first visual code and the second visual code, wherein at least a part of the second visual code is deposited such that the second visual code is read differently responsive to at least one physical event,
• wherein the first subset of the plurality of function patterns and the second subset of the plurality of function patterns have at least one common function pattern.

A computerized system for reading a machine-readable visual representation having data encoded therein, the data being retrievable by reading and decoding the machine-readable visual representation by a visual code reader, the system comprising a processor configured to:

• obtain an image;
• detect a first visual code in the machine-readable visual representation in accordance with a position of at least a plurality of function patterns, the first visual code comprising a first encoded message and a first subset of the plurality of function patterns;
• read the first encoded message from the first visual code;
• obtain a first message from the first encoded message;
• detect a second visual code in the machine-readable visual representation in accordance with a position of at least the function patterns, the second visual code comprising a second encoded message and a second subset of the plurality of function patterns;
• read the second encoded message from the second visual code;
• obtain a second message from the second encoded message;
• and
• responsive to the second message being read successfully, perform an action in accordance with the second message,
• wherein at least a part of the second visual code is read differently by the visual code reader before and after at least one physical event occurs, and
• wherein the first subset of the plurality of function patterns and the second subset of the plurality of function patterns have at least one common function pattern.

A printed medium having a machine-readable visual representation printed thereon, said machine-readable visual representation having data encoded therein, the data being retrievable by reading and decoding the machine-readable visual representation by a visual code reader, the machine-readable visual representation including:

• a plurality of function patterns;
• a first visual code comprising a first encoded message embedded therein, and a first subset of the plurality of function patterns, such that reading the first encoded message requires reading at least the first subset of the plurality of function patterns;
• and
• a second visual code comprising a second encoded message embedded therein, and a second subset of the plurality of function patterns, such that reading the second encoded message requires reading at least the second subset of the plurality of function patterns,
• wherein the first subset of the plurality of function patterns and the second subset of the plurality of function patterns have at least one common function pattern, and
• wherein at least a part of the second visual code is read differently by the visual code reader before and after at least one physical event occurs.