Barcode Encoding and Decoding
Techniques to encode and decode barcodes are described. In an implementation, characters included in content are divided into a plurality of blocks, such that each block is to include compressed or non-compressed characters. An indication is added to a header for each block that specifies whether the block includes compressed or non-compressed characters. Blocks which include non-compressed characters are encoded with a particular codepage. The indication of the non-compressed characters in the header does not reference the particular codepage.
1 . A method comprising:
dividing characters included in content into a plurality of blocks, wherein each said block is to include characters to be compressed or characters that are not to be compressed;
adding an indication in a header for each said block that specifies whether a respective said block includes compressed or non-compressed characters, wherein the indication of the non-compressed characters does not reference a particular codepage; and
encoding blocks that include non-compressed characters with the particular codepage.
2 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the particular codepage is used to encode each said block of non-compressed characters in the content.
3 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein a single codepage indication:
is included in the encoded content; and
references the particular codepage that was used to encode the compressed characters.
4 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the indication that the respective said block includes non-compressed characters does not differentiate the particular codepage used to encode the non-compressed characters from another codepage that is also usable to encode non-compressed characters.
5 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein one or more said headers added to respective said blocks having non-compressed characters include the indication of non-compressed characters and a character count indication but do not include an indication of the particular codepage used to encode the non-compressed characters.
6 . A method as described in claim 1 , further comprising encoding at least one block that includes non-compressed characters without using a codepage.
7 . A method as described in claim 1 , further comprising encoding at least one block that includes—compressed characters as a binary representation of a number corresponding to the compressed characters in the at least one block.
8 . A method comprising:
generating a two-dimensional barcode; and
coloring the two-dimensional barcode to mimic an image.
9 . A method as described in claim 8 , wherein the barcode is two dimensional such that data is encoded in at least two axis.
10 . A method as described in claim 8 , wherein data included in the two-dimensional barcode encodes binary data that is non-textual.
11 . A method as described in claim 8 , wherein:
the generating includes selecting from a plurality of shapes to be included in the barcode; and
each said shape is configured to assist in a particular function that involves reading of the encoded data from the two-dimensional barcode.
12 . A method as described in claim 11 , wherein the functions are selected from the group consisting of:
error correction technique indication;
mask;
finder pattern;
alignment pattern; and
timing line.
13 . A method as described in claim 8 , wherein the coloring is performed such that portions of the two-dimensional barcode that correspond to portions of the image have corresponding colors.
14 . A method as described in claim 8 , wherein:
the coloring is performed such that two-dimensional barcode includes a plurality of layers; and
each said layer is defined by two or more colors used to encode data.
15 . A method as described in claim 14 , wherein data encoded in a first said layer does not match data encoded in a second said layer.
16 . A method as described in claim 8 , wherein:
the two-dimensional barcode is a Quick Response (QR) matrix barcode; and
the coloring is performed such that each dot of the two-dimensional barcode is chosen from at least three colors.
17 . A method as described in claim 8 , wherein the coloring includes use of at least three colors that mimic the image.
18 . A method comprising:
receiving information; and
generating a two-dimensional barcode to encode the information using a plurality of layers, in which, each said layer is defined by two or more colors.
19 . A method as described in claim 18 , wherein:
the two-dimensional barcode is a Quick Response (QR) matrix barcode; and
the generating is performed such that each dot of the two-dimensional barcode is chosen from at least three colors.
20 . A method as described in claim 18 , wherein:
a first said layer is defined by two or more said colors that include black and white; and
a second said layer is defined by two or more other said colors that are not used to define the first said layer.
21 . A method as described in claim 18 , wherein at least one said layer of the two-dimensional barcode is configured to be compatible with a Quick Response (QR) matrix barcode.
22 . One or more computer-readable media comprising executable instruction that, when executed, direct a client to locate a module based on an identifier found in a scanned image of a barcode, wherein the module is executable to render binary data encoded in the barcode.
23 . One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 22 , wherein the binary data is configured as content selected from a group consisting of:
audio content;
video content; and
multimedia content
24 . One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 22 , wherein the barcode is a two-dimensional barcode such that data is encoded in at least two axes in the barcode.