CyberCode is a visual tagging system based on a 2D barcode technology. CyberCode tags can be recognized by the low-cost CMOS or CCD cameras found in more and more mobile devices, and it can also be used to determine the 3D position of the tagged object as well as its ID number.

A CyberCode tag is a 2D barcode symbology A computer with attached camera can locate the tag and decode the data within the 2D barcode

Barcode

A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of data, which shows data about the object to which it attaches. Originally barcodes represented data by varying the widths and spacings of parallel lines, and may be referred to as linear or 1 dimensional . Later they evolved into rectangles,...

. Visual fiduciary marker

Fiduciary marker

A fiducial marker or fiducial is an object used in the field of view of an imaging system which appears in the image produced, for use as a point of reference or a measure...

s surrounding the barcode allow the computer to quickly locate the tag within the field of view of the camera. Additionally, the design of the CyberCode tag allows the computer to track both the tag's 3D position and orientation. The design of the CyberCode tag allows it to be read by low-cost CMOS and CCD cameras found in many mobile devices.

The ability for a camera to quickly acquire and track a CyberCode tag as well as its ability to be used with many of the cameras already in use by consumers has led to its use in augmented reality

Augmented reality

Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is...

. CyberCode tags affixed to real-world objects would allow the user to view the world around them through the camera and have the computer overlay additional information over the display. The information encoded in the barcode identifies the object, and because of the tag's design, the computer can detect the orientation of the object relative to the viewer.

Examples

In the video game "Eye of Judgment", CyberCode tags are printed on collectible cards. The surface where the cards are played is situated in front of a camera and the image is shown on the screen. When cards are placed in front of a camera, the computer can quickly identify which card has been played and displays a 3D model over the image of the card. As the card is moved and rotated on the playing surface, the computer can re-orient the 3D model to the new position of the card. Some other, hypothetical examples include:

• A CyberCode tag is printed next to each diagram in an anatomy textbook. A student, equipped with a video-enabled phone or computer can quickly bring up a 3D version of the diagram on the computer and rotate and zoom to get a better view.
• An auto mechanic, equipped with video goggles could look at an engine and have diagnostic information overlain on the actual engine he is working on.
• CyberCode tags placed on products in a store would allow a shopper with a camera-equipped phone or PDA to quickly reference additional information such as videos of the product in use or consumer reviews.
• CyberCode tags in print advertisements could allow readers to quickly bookmark the manufacturer's website without the need to type the address into the computer.

External links

• Matrix: A Realtime Object Identification and Registration Method for Augmented Reality - Developer Jun Rekimoto's page on CyberCode