Using multi-resolution visual codes to facilitate information browsing in the physical world

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To browse and navigate through information associated with physical objects in the physical world similar to browsing through information in a virtual world such as the Internet. SOLUTION: A physical object, such as an opera house structure, has a multi-resolution visual code 104 on its front facade. The visual code has information encoded hierarchically in different levels of resolution. When the visual code is observed through a decoding device 106, decoded information is displayed on a user interface 110. When the decoding device zooms in on a predetermined area of the visual code, the information at a higher level of resolution encoded in the area is decoded and displayed. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT