Registers – Records – Particular code pattern
Patent
1996-10-18
1998-10-20
Pitts, Harold
Registers
Records
Particular code pattern
235454, G06K 1906
Patent
active
058250158
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to binary codes which are optically readable by a machine and which can be used on items to identify them. More specifically, the present invention relates to a machine readable binary code consisting of a two-dimensional matrix or array of data cells.
It is well known to use bar codes to identify a wide variety of articles and products. Bar codes consist of a number of bars of various widths arranged side by side in a linear orientation. To determine the meaning of a bar code, the bar code must be scanned in a direction substantially parallel with the linear orientation of the bars. It follows that bar codes have a preferred scanning direction and the scanning machine device used to read them must be able to scan in this direction. Because the bar codes must be properly oriented for scanning, they must be pre-oriented for presentation to the scanning machine or the scanning machine must be capable of scanning in many different directions.
Bar codes enjoy use in a wide range of applications. However, they are not generally considered suitable in those applications where space is limited because it is not possible to reliably bar code large amounts of information in a small space available.
These limitations have led to the development of two-dimensional codes for the encryption and coding of data.
There are two basic types of known two-dimensional codes. One of these is based on traditional bar code technology in that it comprises rows of bar codes arranged one on top of another, with or without additional lines to separate the rows. The most well known examples of this type of code are referred to by the names Code 49, Code 16K, CODABLOCK and PDF 417. These codes do not represent a major change from bar code technology as both the printing and reading equipment are either the same or very similar. They also inherit some of the limitations associated with bar codes. For example, both Code 49 and Code 16K have a fixed row length and are limited in the number of rows. Consequently, the amount of data which can be encoded is limited given the actual physical size of the code. Furthermore, as with bar codes, this type of code can only be read in a fixed orientation.
The other type is matrix codes of which the more well known are Data Matrix, USD-5 and Vericode. These codes are generally readable only with cameras and image recognition systems.
The data carrying capacity of matrix codes varies from one type to another. Data Matrix from International Data Matrix (U.S.A.) can encode up to 500 ASCII or ISO characters. Vericode developed and patented by Veritec (U.S.A.) can be printed in several formats, one of which can encode up to 2000 characters. USD-5, from Baumer Ident (Sweden) is a lower density code which can encode up to 64 decimal digits; and although this code can be read in any orientation its matrix density is fixed and hence flexibility is limited.
Both datacode and vericode take the form of a square matrix of binary data cells with a solid border which contains code orientation and timing (i.e. density) information. Both codes can dynamically change their density and size without re-configuration of the system. However, both codes are considered unsuitable for applications such as the leather and textile industry where it is a requirement that the data cells comprising the code take the form of holes punched in the article or product to be coded. Both codes require solid borders to provide code orientation and timing information consequently they are liable to `fall out` or at best be subject to high risk of tearing and code damage when used in leather and textile applications.
Moreover, both datacode and vericode are also very intolerant of misalignments of the data cells and can only cope with minimal stretching and distortion. Essentially to be readable the code matrix must retain the form of a paralellogram. There are many applications where the codes become distorted in use and hence it is not possible to meet this requirement.
A review of these known two-dimensiona
REFERENCES:
patent: 4924078 (1990-05-01), Sant' Anselmo et al.
patent: 5128526 (1992-07-01), Yoshida
patent: 5288986 (1994-02-01), Pine et al.
Electronic Automation Limited
Pitts Harold
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