Machine-readable label generator
Software tools disclosed herein may allow a user to enter design choices that alter an aesthetic appearance of a machine-readable label such that modules included in the label deviate from a standardized definition for the modules. Such alterations may include changes in size, color and orientation of modules. The alterations may allow a user to create machine-readable labels having unique aesthetic appearances. A software engine may ensure that, despite the aesthetic design choices entered by a user, the generated machine-readable label is reliably scannable.
1. A software platform for generating a customized quick-response (“QR”) code comprising a data zone, a position detection pattern and an environmental zone, the software platform comprising:
a first interface for constructing the data zone of the QR code based on a first set of user design choices;
a second interface for constructing the position detection pattern of the QR code based on a second set of user design choices; and
a third interface for constructing the environmental zone of the QR code based on a third set of user design choices;
wherein:
the first interface constructs the data zone and adjusts the position detection pattern and the environmental zone based on the first set of user design choices;
the second interface constructs the position detection pattern and adjusts the data zone and the environmental zone based on the second set of user design choices; and
the third interface constructs the environmental zone and adjusts the data zone and the position detection pattern based on the third set of user design choices.
2. The software platform of claim 1 , wherein, the first, second and third interfaces, collectively generate the QR code based on the first, second and third sets of user design choices such that the QR code exceeds a target error correction level.
3. The software platform of claim 1 , wherein, the second interface adjusts the data zone by redistributing a color scheme applied to modules within the data zone by the first interface.
4. The software platform of claim 1 , wherein, the first interface adjusts the environmental zone by redistributing a pattern of light and dark modules within the environmental zone determined by the third interface.
5. The software platform of claim 1 , wherein, the third interface adjusts the data zone by changing a size of modules within the data zone determined by the first interface.
6. The software platform of claim 1 , wherein, each of the first, second and third interfaces, when adjusting any of the environmental zone, the data zone and the position detection pattern, maintain fidelity of instructions encoded in the data zone.
7. The software platform of claim 6 , wherein, the first, second and third interfaces, when adjusting any of the environmental zone, the data zone and the position detection pattern, maintain fidelity of instructions encoded in the data zone such that the QR code comprises error correction code that restores at least 15% of instructions included in the data zone.
8. The software platform of claim 7 configured to reject at least one of the first, second and third sets of user design choices based on determining that the error correction code cannot restore at least 15% of data included in the data zone after constructing or adjusting any of the environmental zone, the data zone and the position detection pattern.
9. The software platform of claim 6 , wherein, the first, second and third interfaces maintain fidelity of instructions encoded in the data zone such that the QR code, when scanned, triggers a target action on a scanning device after generating the QR code based on the first, second and third sets of user design choices.
10. The software platform of claim 1 , wherein the first set of user design choices comprises:
an image embedded in the data zone;
a color scheme applied to modules in the data zone;
a shape of modules in the data zone; and
a size of modules in the data zone.
11. The software platform of claim 1 , wherein the second set of user design choices comprises:
a color scheme applied to a position marker in the position detection pattern; and
a shape of the position marker.
12. The software platform of claim 1 , wherein the first interface adjusts the position detection pattern by applying the first set of user design choices to an alignment pattern and to a timing pattern in the data zone.