Error checking code and apparatus for an optical reader

Claim 2

A coded label for use in a code reading apparatus, said label having three coded fields comprising: a. n + 1 rows of indicia on each of said coded fields, b. said first field having n rows of indicia forming m columns of coded data, c. said second field having n rows of coded indicia, each coded row of said second field Indicating the number of indicia in corresponding rows of said first field, d. said third field having n rows of indicia for providing a parity checking means on said rows of said second field, and e. a row of synchronization indicia for each of said fields.

Claim 3

A coded label as recited in claim 1 wherein said indicia are marks on said label being readable by an optical reader.

Claim 4

A coded label as recited in claim 2 wherein said coded label has two straight edges for aligning said label with the optical reader.

Claim 5

A coded label as recited in claim 1 wherein said m columns of said first field contain indicia in an octal code.

Claim 6

A coded label as recited in claim 4 wherein said n rows of said second field contain indicia in an octal code.

Claim 7

A code reading apparatus for recording and checking an n row coded label comprising: a. a code reader means for reading said coded label and providing signals indicative of said code to a code storage means, b. counter means connected to said code reader means and having a plurality of bit registers for registering the number of signals corresponding to the number of indicia on a first part of the rows of said label, c. means connected to said counter means for sequentially comparing signals from each bit register of said counter means with signals from said reader means corresponding to indicia on a second part of the rows of said label which represent a coded number on said label, d. means connected to said comparing means for indicating a non-identity between said registered bit signals and said signals corresponding to said coded number, e. logic means connected to said counter means for providing a signal corresponding to the parity of the bit registers of said registered number for registration in said counter means, whereby said registered parity signal is compared in said comparing means to a parity signal from said reader means corresponding to parity indicia on rows of said label and any non-identity is indicated by said indicating means.

Claim 8

A code reading apparatus for recording and checking an n row coded label comprising: a. a code reader means for reading said coded label and providing signals indicative of said code to a code storage means, b. counter means connected to said code reader means and having a plurality of bit registers for registering the number of signals corresponding to the number of indicia on a first part of the rows of said label, c. means connected to said counter means for sequentially comparing signals from each bit register of said counter means with signals from said reader means corresponding to indicia on a second part of the rows of said label which represent a coded number on said label, d. means connected to said comparing means for indicating a non-identity between said registered bit signals and said signals corresponding to said coded number, e. logic means connected to said counter means for providing a signal corresponding to the parity of the bit registers of said registered number for registration in said counter means, whereby said registered parity signal is compared in said comparing means to a parity signal from said reader means corresponding to parity indicia on rows of said label and any non-identity is indicated by said indicating means.

Claim 9

A code reading apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said counter means comprises a shift register and said comparing means is connected to one bit register of said shift register.

Claim 10

A code reading apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said comparing means comprises an OR gate.

Claim 11

A code reading apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said logic means comprises two OR gates.

Claim 12

A code reading apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said code label contains n rows of indicia and wherein said apparatus comprises: a. n of said counter means, b. n of said comparing means, and c. n of said logic means, whereby each counter means, comparing means and logic means is responsive to signals form said reader corresponding to indicia from one of said n coded rows.

Claim 13

A code reading apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said reader is an optical reader and said indicia are marks on said coded label.

Claim 14

A code reading apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said indicating means comprises a light source.

Claim 15

A code reading apparatus as recited in claim 12 further comprising means connected to said comparing means for confirming a correct label read.

Claim 16

A code reading apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said confirming means comprises a light source.