US3671722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transition code recognition system
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1969-06-30
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1989-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A transition code recognition system which includes a coded record medium (like a color-coded label) which may, if desired, be secured to an article. The record medium utilizes detectable indicia like color bands placed on the record medium in a reading order so that each color band is different from the preceding one. The color transitions from one color band to the next, when reading, are used to identify binary states ''''1'''' and ''''0,'''' and the transitions obviate the need for a separate clocking arrangement. An optical probe scanner is used to read the record medium by ''''scribing'''' or gliding the probe scanner across the color bands, and the changing light signals resulting from the reading operation are routed to electronic circuitry for interpretation and processing.
Inventors
- 👤 John B Christie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:21
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/10; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06018; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/12; G11; G11C; G11C13/00; G11C13/04; G11C13/048; G06K2019/06215; G06K2019/06225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A record medium for storing data and having indicia scannable in a reading direction comprising: a record member; a plurality of at least three different indicia means with each one of said indicia means having detectable characteristics associated therewith; said indicia means being assigned to predetermined pair groupings so that each of said pair groupings contains two different indicia means; some of said pair groupings being assigned to a first group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the first group in a reading direction is indicative of a first datum; and the remainder of said pair groupings being assigned to a second group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the second group in said reading direction is indicative of a second datum; said indicia means being selected from said pair groupings and arranged on said record member in a predetermined reading order in a single track to provide said transitions corresponding to said first and second data; each said indicia means being in the shape of a color bar and arranged on said record member in said predetermined reading order so that the next one of said indicia means in the direction of said reading order is always different from the preceding one of said indicia means; and said transitions also being used for clocking purposes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A record medium for storing data and having indicia scannable in a reading direction comprising: a record member; a plurality of at least three different indicia means with each one of said indicia means having detectable characteristics associated therewith; said indicia means being assigned to predetermined pair groupings so that each of said pair groupings contains two different indicia means; some of said pair groupings being assigned to a first group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the first group in a reading direction is indicative of a first datum; and the remainder of said pair groupings being assigned to a second group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the second group in said reading direction is indicative of a second datum; said indicia means being selected from said pair groupings and arranged on said record member in a predetermined reading order in a single track to provide said transitions corresponding to said first and second data; each said indicia means being in the shape of a color bar and arranged on said record member in said predetermined reading order so that the next one of said indicia means in the direction of said reading order is always different from the preceding one of said indicia means; and said transitions also being used for clocking purposes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
275 words
A record medium for storing coded data and having indicia scannable in a reading direction comprising: a record member; first, second, and third indicia means having detectable first, second, and third characteristics, respectively; said indicia means being arranged on said record member in a reading order so that the next adjacent one of said indicia means in the direction of said reading order is always different from the preceding one of said indicia means to provide a record medium which is self-clocking; and said indicia means being arranged on said member so that any transition from said first to second indicia means, from said second to third indicia means, and from said third to first indicia means in said reading order is representative of a binary one of said data; and any transition from said first to said third indicia means, from said third to said second indicia means, and from said second to said first indicia means is representative of a binary zero of said data; each said indicia means being in the shape of a single rectangle, with said indicia means being in contacting juxtaposed relation with one another to provide a single track of data to be read by a single track reading means; said first, second, and third indicia means being the sole means for storing said coded data in a reading order on said record member, and when said coded data is read in a direction opposite from said reading order, the data stored on said record medium is the complement of the data read from said reading order regardless of the particular coded data stored on said record medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
275 words
A record medium for storing coded data and having indicia scannable in a reading direction comprising: a record member; first, second, and third indicia means having detectable first, second, and third characteristics, respectively; said indicia means being arranged on said record member in a reading order so that the next adjacent one of said indicia means in the direction of said reading order is always different from the preceding one of said indicia means to provide a record medium which is self-clocking; and said indicia means being arranged on said member so that any transition from said first to second indicia means, from said second to third indicia means, and from said third to first indicia means in said reading order is representative of a binary one of said data; and any transition from said first to said third indicia means, from said third to said second indicia means, and from said second to said first indicia means is representative of a binary zero of said data; each said indicia means being in the shape of a single rectangle, with said indicia means being in contacting juxtaposed relation with one another to provide a single track of data to be read by a single track reading means; said first, second, and third indicia means being the sole means for storing said coded data in a reading order on said record member, and when said coded data is read in a direction opposite from said reading order, the data stored on said record medium is the complement of the data read from said reading order regardless of the particular coded data stored on said record medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The record medium as claimEd in claim 1 further including code means enabling the data stored in said record medium to be read from first and second reading directions which are opposite to each other whereby the data read from said second reading direction is the complement of the data read from said first reading direction.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
287 words
The method of recording data on a record medium comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of different indicia means with each one of said indicia means having detectable characteristics associated therewith; combining said indicia means in predetermined pair groupings so that each of said pair groupings contains two different indicia means; assigning some of said pair groupings to a first group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair groupings in the first group in a reading direction is indicative of a first datum; assigning the remainder of said pair groupings to a second group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the second group in said reading direction is indicative of a second datum; selecting a pair of indicia means from one of said pair groupings in accordance with a datum to be recorded; recording the selected pair in first and second positions on said medium in a single track in a recording order to obtain the desired transition; selecting a next indicia means which is different from the one in the second position so that when it is positioned in a third position in said recording order next to the indicia means in said second position, the indicia means in the second and third positions will provide the transition corresponding to the next datum to be recorded on the medium; and repeating said selecting and recording steps to provide said transitions corresponding to said first and second data to be recorded so that a succeeding indicia means recorded on the medium in said recording order is always different from the next preceding one of the indicia means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
287 words
The method of recording data on a record medium comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of different indicia means with each one of said indicia means having detectable characteristics associated therewith; combining said indicia means in predetermined pair groupings so that each of said pair groupings contains two different indicia means; assigning some of said pair groupings to a first group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair groupings in the first group in a reading direction is indicative of a first datum; assigning the remainder of said pair groupings to a second group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the second group in said reading direction is indicative of a second datum; selecting a pair of indicia means from one of said pair groupings in accordance with a datum to be recorded; recording the selected pair in first and second positions on said medium in a single track in a recording order to obtain the desired transition; selecting a next indicia means which is different from the one in the second position so that when it is positioned in a third position in said recording order next to the indicia means in said second position, the indicia means in the second and third positions will provide the transition corresponding to the next datum to be recorded on the medium; and repeating said selecting and recording steps to provide said transitions corresponding to said first and second data to be recorded so that a succeeding indicia means recorded on the medium in said recording order is always different from the next preceding one of the indicia means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
207 words
The method of recording data in a single track on a record medium having a plurality of bit positions comprising the steps of: selecting at least first, second, and third indicia means having detectable first, second, and third characteristics, respectively; assigning to said first, second, and third indicia means a first order of transitions to be representative of a first datum of said data; assigning to said first, second, and third indicia means a second order of transitions to be representative of a second datum of said data; selecting two of said indicia means corresponding to the desired order of transition to be representative of a datum to be recorded at a particular bit position on said record medium; recording the two indicia means selected in the selecting step on the record medium in a recording order to effect the desired transition representative of the datum selected to be recorded; and repeating said selecting and recording steps to record the balance of data to be recorded so that a succeeding one of said indicia means recorded on the record medium in said recording order is always different from the next preceding one of the indicia means to effect the transition representative of the datum to be recorded.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
207 words
The method of recording data in a single track on a record medium having a plurality of bit positions comprising the steps of: selecting at least first, second, and third indicia means having detectable first, second, and third characteristics, respectively; assigning to said first, second, and third indicia means a first order of transitions to be representative of a first datum of said data; assigning to said first, second, and third indicia means a second order of transitions to be representative of a second datum of said data; selecting two of said indicia means corresponding to the desired order of transition to be representative of a datum to be recorded at a particular bit position on said record medium; recording the two indicia means selected in the selecting step on the record medium in a recording order to effect the desired transition representative of the datum selected to be recorded; and repeating said selecting and recording steps to record the balance of data to be recorded so that a succeeding one of said indicia means recorded on the record medium in said recording order is always different from the next preceding one of the indicia means to effect the transition representative of the datum to be recorded.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
273 words
A record medium for storing coded data and having indicia scannable in a reading direction comprising: a record member; first, second, and third indicia means having detectable first, second, and third characteristics, respectively; said indicia means being arranged on said member in a reading order with each indicia means being contiguous with and different from the preceding one of said indicia means in said order; each of said indicia means being in the form of a single rectangle with contiguous ones of said indicia means contacting to form a transition line therebetween; said indicia means being arranged on said member so that any transition from said first to second indicia means, froM said second to third indicia means, and from said third to first indicia means in said reading order is representative of a binary ''''one'''' of said data; and any transition from said first to said third indicia means, from said third to said second indicia means, and from said second to said first indicia means is representative of a binary ''''zero'''' of said data; each of said rectangles representing said indicia means being in aligned parallel relationship to form a single track of data to be read by a single track reading means; said record member having a white surface used for said first indicia means, and said second and third indicia means being rectangles of second and third colors, respectively; said first, second, and third indicia means being the sole means for storing said coded data; and said record member having one said transition line between each pair of contiguous indicia means; said transition lines providing a self-clocking record medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
273 words
A record medium for storing coded data and having indicia scannable in a reading direction comprising: a record member; first, second, and third indicia means having detectable first, second, and third characteristics, respectively; said indicia means being arranged on said member in a reading order with each indicia means being contiguous with and different from the preceding one of said indicia means in said order; each of said indicia means being in the form of a single rectangle with contiguous ones of said indicia means contacting to form a transition line therebetween; said indicia means being arranged on said member so that any transition from said first to second indicia means, froM said second to third indicia means, and from said third to first indicia means in said reading order is representative of a binary ''''one'''' of said data; and any transition from said first to said third indicia means, from said third to said second indicia means, and from said second to said first indicia means is representative of a binary ''''zero'''' of said data; each of said rectangles representing said indicia means being in aligned parallel relationship to form a single track of data to be read by a single track reading means; said record member having a white surface used for said first indicia means, and said second and third indicia means being rectangles of second and third colors, respectively; said first, second, and third indicia means being the sole means for storing said coded data; and said record member having one said transition line between each pair of contiguous indicia means; said transition lines providing a self-clocking record medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
250 words
A record medium for storing data in combination with a reader thereof comprising: a record member; a plurality of at least three different indicia means with each one of said indicia means having detectable characteristics associated therewith; said indicia means being assigned to predetermined pair groupings so that each of said pair grouping contains two different indicia means; some of said pair groupings being assigned to a first group so that said reader recognizes that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the first group in a reading direction is indicative of a first datum; and the remainder of said pair groupings being assigned to a second group so that said reader recognizes that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the second group in said reading direction is indicative of a second datum; said indicia means being selected from said pair groupings and arranged on said record member in a predetermined reading order in a single track to provide said transitions corresponding to said first and second data; each said indicia means being in the shape of a color bar and arranged on said record member in said predetermined reading order so that the next one of said indicia means in the direction of said reading order is always different from the preceding one of said indicia means whereby the regulatory transition from one indicia means to another indicia means provides self clocking.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
250 words
A record medium for storing data in combination with a reader thereof comprising: a record member; a plurality of at least three different indicia means with each one of said indicia means having detectable characteristics associated therewith; said indicia means being assigned to predetermined pair groupings so that each of said pair grouping contains two different indicia means; some of said pair groupings being assigned to a first group so that said reader recognizes that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the first group in a reading direction is indicative of a first datum; and the remainder of said pair groupings being assigned to a second group so that said reader recognizes that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the second group in said reading direction is indicative of a second datum; said indicia means being selected from said pair groupings and arranged on said record member in a predetermined reading order in a single track to provide said transitions corresponding to said first and second data; each said indicia means being in the shape of a color bar and arranged on said record member in said predetermined reading order so that the next one of said indicia means in the direction of said reading order is always different from the preceding one of said indicia means whereby the regulatory transition from one indicia means to another indicia means provides self clocking.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
281 words
A record medium for storing coded data in combination with a reader thereof comprising: a record member; first, second, and third indicia means having detectable first, second, and third characteristics, respectfully; said indicia means being arranged in said record member in a reading order so that the next adjacent one of said indicia means in the direction of said reading order is always different from the immediately preceding one of said indicia means to provide a record medium which is self-clocking; and said indicia means being arranged on said member so that said reader recognizes that any transition from said first to second indicia means, from said second to third indicia means, and from said third to first indicia means in said reading order is representative of a binary one of said data; and said reader recognizes that any transition from said first to said third indicia means, from said third to said second indicia means, and from said second to said first indicia means is representative of a binary zero of said data; each said indicia means being in the shape of a single rectangle, with said indicia means being in contacting juxtaposed relation with one another to provide a single track of data to be read by a single track reader; said first, second, and third indicia means being the sole means for storing said coded data in a reading order on said record member, and when said coded data is read in a direction opposite from said readIng order, the data stored on said record medium is the complement of the data read from said reading order regardless of the particular coded data stored on said record medium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
281 words
A record medium for storing coded data in combination with a reader thereof comprising: a record member; first, second, and third indicia means having detectable first, second, and third characteristics, respectfully; said indicia means being arranged in said record member in a reading order so that the next adjacent one of said indicia means in the direction of said reading order is always different from the immediately preceding one of said indicia means to provide a record medium which is self-clocking; and said indicia means being arranged on said member so that said reader recognizes that any transition from said first to second indicia means, from said second to third indicia means, and from said third to first indicia means in said reading order is representative of a binary one of said data; and said reader recognizes that any transition from said first to said third indicia means, from said third to said second indicia means, and from said second to said first indicia means is representative of a binary zero of said data; each said indicia means being in the shape of a single rectangle, with said indicia means being in contacting juxtaposed relation with one another to provide a single track of data to be read by a single track reader; said first, second, and third indicia means being the sole means for storing said coded data in a reading order on said record member, and when said coded data is read in a direction opposite from said readIng order, the data stored on said record medium is the complement of the data read from said reading order regardless of the particular coded data stored on said record medium.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
295 words
The method of recording and reading data on a record medium comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of different indicia means with each one of said indicia means having detectable characteristics associated therewith; combining said indicia means in predetermined pair groupings so that each of said pair groupings contains two different indicia means; assigning some of said pair groupings to a first group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair groupings in the first group in a reading direction is indicative of a first datum to a reader; assigning the remainder of said pair groupings to a second group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the second group in said reading direction is indicative of a second datum to a reader; selecting a pair of indicia means from one of said pair groupings in accordance with a datum to be recorded; recording the selected pair in first and second positions on said medium in a single track in a recording order to obtain the desired transition; selecting a next indicia means which is different from the one in the second position so that when it is positioned in a third position in said recording order next to the indicia means in said second position, the indicia means in the second and third position will provide the transition corresponding to the next datum to be recorded on the medium; and repeating said selecting and recording steps to provide said transitions corresponding to said first and second data to be recorded so that a succeeding indicia means recorded on the medium in said recording order is always different from the next preceding one of the indicia means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
295 words
The method of recording and reading data on a record medium comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of different indicia means with each one of said indicia means having detectable characteristics associated therewith; combining said indicia means in predetermined pair groupings so that each of said pair groupings contains two different indicia means; assigning some of said pair groupings to a first group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair groupings in the first group in a reading direction is indicative of a first datum to a reader; assigning the remainder of said pair groupings to a second group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the second group in said reading direction is indicative of a second datum to a reader; selecting a pair of indicia means from one of said pair groupings in accordance with a datum to be recorded; recording the selected pair in first and second positions on said medium in a single track in a recording order to obtain the desired transition; selecting a next indicia means which is different from the one in the second position so that when it is positioned in a third position in said recording order next to the indicia means in said second position, the indicia means in the second and third position will provide the transition corresponding to the next datum to be recorded on the medium; and repeating said selecting and recording steps to provide said transitions corresponding to said first and second data to be recorded so that a succeeding indicia means recorded on the medium in said recording order is always different from the next preceding one of the indicia means.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
215 words
The method of recording and reading data in a single track on a record medium having a plurality of bit positions comprising the steps of: selecting at least first, second and third indicia means having detectable first, second, and third characteristics, respectively; assigning to said first, second and third indicia means a first order of transitions to be representative of a first datum of said data to a reader; assigning to said first, second and third indicia means a second order of transitions to be representative of a second datum of said data to a reader; selecting two of said indicia means corresponding to the desired order of transition to be representative of a datum to be recorded at a particular bit position on said record medium; recording the two indicia means selected in the selecting step on the record medium in a recording order to effect the desired transition representative of the datum selected to be recorded; and repeating said selecting and recording steps to record the balance of data to be recorded so that a succeeding one of said indicia means recorded on the record medium in said recording order is always different from the next preceding one of the indicia means to effect the transition representative of the datum to be recorded.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
215 words
The method of recording and reading data in a single track on a record medium having a plurality of bit positions comprising the steps of: selecting at least first, second and third indicia means having detectable first, second, and third characteristics, respectively; assigning to said first, second and third indicia means a first order of transitions to be representative of a first datum of said data to a reader; assigning to said first, second and third indicia means a second order of transitions to be representative of a second datum of said data to a reader; selecting two of said indicia means corresponding to the desired order of transition to be representative of a datum to be recorded at a particular bit position on said record medium; recording the two indicia means selected in the selecting step on the record medium in a recording order to effect the desired transition representative of the datum selected to be recorded; and repeating said selecting and recording steps to record the balance of data to be recorded so that a succeeding one of said indicia means recorded on the record medium in said recording order is always different from the next preceding one of the indicia means to effect the transition representative of the datum to be recorded.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
279 words
A record medium for storing coded data in combination with a reader thereof comprising: a record member; first, second, and third indicia means having detectable first, second, and third characteristics, respectively; said indicia means being arranged in said member in a reading order with each indicia means being contiguous with and different from the preceding one of said indicia means in said order; each of said indicia means being in the form of a single rectangle with contiguous ones of said indicia means contacting to form a transition line there between; said indicia means being arranged on said member so that said reader recognizes that any transition from said first to second indicia means, from said second to third indicia means, and from Said third to first indicia means in said reading order is representative of a binary ''''one'''' of said data; and said reader recognizes that any transition from said first to said third indicia means, from said third to said second indicia means, and from said second to said first indicia means is representative of a binary ''''zero'''' of said data; each of said rectangles representing said indicia means being in aligned parallel relationship to form a single track of data to be read by a single track reader; said record member having a white surface used for said first indicia means, and said second and third indicia means being rectangles of second and third colors, respectively; said first, second, and third indicia means being the sole means for storing said coded data; and said record member having one said transition line between each pair of contiguous indicia means; said transition lines providing a self-clocking record medium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
279 words
A record medium for storing coded data in combination with a reader thereof comprising: a record member; first, second, and third indicia means having detectable first, second, and third characteristics, respectively; said indicia means being arranged in said member in a reading order with each indicia means being contiguous with and different from the preceding one of said indicia means in said order; each of said indicia means being in the form of a single rectangle with contiguous ones of said indicia means contacting to form a transition line there between; said indicia means being arranged on said member so that said reader recognizes that any transition from said first to second indicia means, from said second to third indicia means, and from Said third to first indicia means in said reading order is representative of a binary ''''one'''' of said data; and said reader recognizes that any transition from said first to said third indicia means, from said third to said second indicia means, and from said second to said first indicia means is representative of a binary ''''zero'''' of said data; each of said rectangles representing said indicia means being in aligned parallel relationship to form a single track of data to be read by a single track reader; said record member having a white surface used for said first indicia means, and said second and third indicia means being rectangles of second and third colors, respectively; said first, second, and third indicia means being the sole means for storing said coded data; and said record member having one said transition line between each pair of contiguous indicia means; said transition lines providing a self-clocking record medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |