Method of identifying a plurality of labels having data fields w

Details Method of identifying a plurality of labels having data fields w Method of identifying a plurality of labels having data fields w

1994-03-03

1997-03-04

Han, Frances

Printed matter

Method

283 70, 283 74, 283 81, 235462, 235375, B42D 1500

Patent

active

056071876

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD

This patent relates to digital image acquisition and subsequent recognition and decoding of machine-readable characters and/or coded indicia printed onto labels to be affixed to, or printed directly onto fixed or transportable objects.


BACKGROUND

Although a number of systems exist for providing one-by-one identification of data carried on passing objects or identifying locations of objects and then acting on the information found, (such as at the point of sale in a supermarket) there is still a need for a system capable of coping in one single capture action with a whole array of items that have come together at some point--which may be outdoors--in a storage or distribution network. Preferably analysis and reporting are also fully integrated into the system.
For example, there is a need for firstly the identification and secondly the convenient and preferably automatic recording of logs and processed timber at various points during transportation, processing, and storage.


OBJECT

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved automatic identification and location-tracking system for objects viewed against complex backgrounds, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.


STATEMENT OF INVENTION

In one aspect the invention provides a machine-readable label capable of being applied to an item, said label carrying contrasting indicia compatible with machine vision equipment wherein said indicia include at least one distinctive border marking which constitutes an outer border defining the area covered by an adjoining information-holding field, and said information-holding field is capable of containing a plurality of information-carrying indicia.
In another aspect the invention provides a method of identifying one or more items at a site, comprising the steps of: label carrying contrasting indicia compatible with machine vision equipment, wherein said indicia include at least one distinctive border marking which constitutes an outer border defining the area covered by an adjoining information-holding field, and said information-holding field contains information-carrying indicia relevant to its respective item, each distinctive label border within each image, borders, to identify each item.
The identification label or symbol of this invention and/or the identification method of this invention are particularly suited to the labeling and tracking of groups of items such as logs. In the preferred embodiments of this invention logs are preferably initially identified at one or both ends with a unique label at a station, by ownership, location, handler, type, or quality. The unique label can carry information acting as an index to a data base. The image capture stage may be required during loading of a ship.
Other applications include the locating of items in a warehouse, from small boxes up to shipping containers, or the identification of passing vehicles from a distance or identification of fixed bin areas in a warehouse. On an item-by-item basis the system can be applied to mail at sorting stations where it can also serve to track mail during distribution.
Information derived from such a system may be used to categorize shipments, to prepare processing stations, or to pinpoint the whereabouts of each of many items during transport operations or in storage. Accurate identification can aid in efficient operation and production management and can help reduce stock loss.
The following embodiments are given by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention. Many variations or equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art.


DRAWINGS

In the description of the drawings, reference will be made to filled black areas such as black circles, ovals, or triangles. However, the blackness is illustrated in the following figures with shading.
FIG. 1: This diagram shows a typical arrangement of mobile camera platform, and a bundle of labeled logs, at the time of image capture in a dockside environment.
FIG. 2 This diagram shows the contents of a

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