# US 2021/0240958 A1 · Encoding method, decoding method, encoder, and decoder > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0240958 A1 - Document ID: US20210240958A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/239,902 - Filed: 2021-04-26 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-01 - Inventors: Satoshi MIZOGUCHI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210240958A1 ## CPC - G06K 7/1486: {Setting the threshold-width for bar codes to be decoded} - G06K 7/1434: {Barcodes with supplemental or add-on codes} - G06K 7/1456: {determining the orientation of the optical code with respect to the reader and correcting therefore} - G06K 19/06037: {multi-dimensional coding} - G06K 19/06056: {the marking comprising a further embedded marking, e.g. a 1D bar code with the black bars containing a smaller sized coding} - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract There is provided an encoding method for encoding a two-dimensional code using an encoder, wherein in accordance with a predetermined area allocation policy, the encoder generates a primary two-dimensional tally code having a primary effective area containing primary distribution information and a primary dummy area, and generates a secondary two-dimensional tally code having a secondary effective area containing secondary distribution information and disposed in a position where the primary dummy area is disposed and a secondary dummy area disposed in a position where the primary effective area is disposed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An encoding method for encoding a two-dimensional code using an encoder, wherein in accordance with a predetermined area allocation policy, the encoder generates a primary two-dimensional tally code having a primary effective area containing primary distribution information and a primary dummy area, and generates a secondary two-dimensional tally code having a secondary effective area containing secondary distribution information and disposed in a position where the primary dummy area is disposed and a secondary dummy area disposed in a position where the primary effective area is disposed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The encoding method according to claim 1, wherein the primary distribution information and the secondary distribution information contain authentication information as transmission information. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The encoding method according to claim 1, wherein the primary distribution information and the secondary distribution information contain a time stamp and/or position information, and transmission information that is decoded by a decoder when the time stamp and/or the position information satisfies a predetermined threshold value. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The encoding method according to claim 2, wherein the primary distribution information and the secondary distribution information contain a time stamp and/or position information, and transmission information that is decoded by a decoder when the time stamp and/or the position information satisfies a predetermined threshold value. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The encoding method according to claim 1, wherein a total number of cells of the primary effective area and the primary dummy area is the same as a total number of cells of the secondary effective area and the secondary dummy area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The encoding method according to claim 2, wherein a total number of cells of the primary effective area and the primary dummy area is the same as a total number of cells of the secondary effective area and the secondary dummy area. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The encoding method according to claim 3, wherein a total number of cells of the primary effective area and the primary dummy area is the same as a total number of cells of the secondary effective area and the secondary dummy area. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The encoding method according to claim 4, wherein a total number of cells of the primary effective area and the primary dummy area is the same as a total number of cells of the secondary effective area and the secondary dummy area. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The encoding method according to claim 1, wherein the primary effective area, the primary dummy area, the secondary effective area, and the secondary dummy area are areas that are assembled together. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The encoding method according to claim 2, wherein the primary effective area, the primary dummy area, the secondary effective area, and the secondary dummy area are areas that are assembled together. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) The encoding method according to claim 3, wherein the primary effective area, the primary dummy area, the secondary effective area, and the secondary dummy area are areas that are assembled together. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The encoding method according to claim 4, wherein the primary effective area, the primary dummy area, the secondary effective area, and the secondary dummy area are areas that are assembled together. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) The encoding method according to claim 5, wherein the primary effective area, the primary dummy area, the secondary effective area, and the secondary dummy area are areas that are assembled together. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The encoding method according to claim 6, wherein the primary effective area, the primary dummy area, the secondary effective area, and the secondary dummy area are areas that are assembled together. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The encoding method according to claim 7, wherein the primary effective area, the primary dummy area, the secondary effective area, and the secondary dummy area are areas that are assembled together. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The encoding method according to claim 8, wherein the primary effective area, the primary dummy area, the secondary effective area, and the secondary dummy area are areas that are assembled together. ### Claim 17 A decoding method for decoding a two-dimensional code using a decoder, wherein the decoder obtains a primary two-dimensional tally code having a primary effective area containing primary distribution information and a primary dummy area, obtains a secondary two-dimensional tally code having a secondary effective area containing secondary distribution information and disposed in a position where the primary dummy area is disposed and a secondary dummy area disposed in a position where the primary effective area is disposed, the primary two-dimensional tally code and the secondary two-dimensional tally code being generated in accordance with a predetermined area allocation policy, cuts out the primary effective area and the secondary effective area in accordance with the area allocation policy, and disposes the primary effective area and the secondary effective area in positions corresponding to positions where the primary effective area and the secondary effective area are disposed before the primary effective area and the secondary effective area are cut out to thereby combine the primary effective area and the secondary effective area as a data area of the two-dimensional code. ### Claim 18 An encoder configured to in accordance with a predetermined area allocation policy generate a primary two-dimensional tally code having a primary effective area containing primary distribution information and a primary dummy area, and generate a secondary two-dimensional tally code having a secondary effective area containing secondary distribution information and disposed in a position where the primary dummy area is disposed and a secondary dummy area disposed in a position where the first effective area is disposed. ### Claim 19 A decoder configured to obtain a primary two-dimensional tally code having a primary effective area containing primary distribution information and a primary dummy area, obtain a secondary two-dimensional tally code having a secondary effective area containing secondary distribution information and disposed in a position where the primary dummy area is disposed and a secondary dummy area disposed in a position where the primary effective area is disposed, the primary two-dimensional tally code and the secondary two-dimensional tally code being generated in accordance with a predetermined area allocation policy, cut out the primary effective area and the secondary effective area in accordance with the area allocation policy, and dispose the primary effective area and the secondary effective area in positions corresponding to positions where the primary effective area and the secondary effective are disposed before the primary effective area and the secondary effective area are cut out to thereby combine the primary effective area and the secondary effective area as a data area of the two-dimensional code.