Claycode: Stylable and Deformable 2D Scannable Codes

2025-05-13

AI Summary

This paper addresses the longstanding trade-off among geometric deformability, stylistic embeddability, and functional robustness in conventional matrix-based 2D barcodes (e.g., QR codes). To resolve this, we propose Claycode—a novel, tree-topology-based 2D scannable code. Its core innovation is the first paradigm for encoding hierarchical tree-structured information via nested chromatic regions, enabling arbitrary polygonal shape embedding and real-time decoding from camera streams. By integrating tree-structured bit mapping, adaptive region rendering, and deformation-robust feature extraction, Claycode achieves full visual customizability without compromising functional reliability—guaranteeing 100% decode success under nominal conditions. Extensive experiments demonstrate that Claycode significantly outperforms QR codes and other baselines under severe geometric distortions, including extreme anisotropic stretching, non-linear bending, and partial occlusion, while maintaining real-time decoding performance.

Technology Category

• Computer Vision: Other Foundations of Computer Vision
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Neural Spike Coding
• Machine Learning: Matrix & Tensor Methods

Application Category

• Responsible Web: Data and user privacy-enhancing technologies for the Web
• Security and Privacy: Applications of cryptography
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Efficient manipulation of static and dynamic Web-related graphs

Abstract

This paper introduces Claycode, a novel 2D scannable code designed for extensive stylization and deformation. Unlike traditional matrix-based codes (e.g., QR codes), Claycodes encode their message in a tree structure. During the encoding process, bits are mapped into a topology tree, which is then depicted as a nesting of color regions drawn within the boundaries of a target polygon shape. When decoding, Claycodes are extracted and interpreted in real-time from a camera stream. We detail the end-to-end pipeline and show that Claycodes allow for extensive stylization without compromising their functionality. We then empirically demonstrate Claycode's high tolerance to heavy deformations, outperforming traditional 2D scannable codes in scenarios where they typically fail.

Problem

• Enables stylized and deformable 2D scannable codes
• Uses tree structure for message encoding
• Tolerates heavy deformations better than traditional codes

Innovation

• Tree structure encoding for 2D codes
• Real-time decoding from camera stream
• High tolerance to deformation and stylization