US3784792A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Coded record and methods of and apparatus for encoding and decoding records
Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC
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Filing: 1972-03-29
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A novel record with alternate width modulated bars and spaces is decoded by comparing the width of each bar or space with a pair of reference values based on the product and quotient of a constant and the width of another bar or space to establish bit value. When the width value is greater or less than the reference value, the bit value is established. When the width values lie between the reference values, a state of equality is established which is resolved into a bit value by reference to the results of a prior or subsequent comparison. A system embodying the method includes storage means for storing width values, reference registers for establishing successive different sets of product and quotient reference values, and comparators controlled by the stored width and reference values for establishing the greater and less than and equality status conditions. In one embodiment, a shift register and logic circuits controlled by the status conditions provide dynamic interpretation of the status conditions into code bits as the character is read. In another embodiment, the status conditions are stored and then translated into code bits after a complete character has been read. In one code set, each character code of seven bits formed by four bars and three spaces uses five bits to define the character and the remaining two bits to provide separate bar and space parity bits. This and the fact that only one space ''''1'''' and one bar ''''1'''' are included in a proper code results in a code with an extremely low expected rate of undetected error. The system also includes separate parity check circuits for the decoded bar and space bits.
Inventors
- 👤 B Dobras
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/01; G06K7/016; G06K7/0166
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of interpreting a record having a sequence of code areas of different sizes representing code elements of different significance using a record reader, which method comprises the steps of sequentially scanning the code areas with the reader, sequentially establishing the relative sizes of different pairs of code areas in dependence on the sequence in which the code areas are scanned by the reader, assigning a code significance to the various code areas in dependence on the established relative sizes when one of each pair of code areas is greater or less than the other in size, deferring the assignment of code significance when the two code areas of a pair are of similar size, and assigning a code significance to the code areas for which assignment has been deferred in dependence on the code significance assigned to another scanned code area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of interpreting a record having a sequence of code areas of different sizes representing code elements of different significance using a record reader, which method comprises the steps of sequentially scanning the code areas with the reader, sequentially establishing the relative sizes of different pairs of code areas in dependence on the sequence in which the code areas are scanned by the reader, assigning a code significance to the various code areas in dependence on the established relative sizes when one of each pair of code areas is greater or less than the other in size, deferring the assignment of code significance when the two code areas of a pair are of similar size, and assigning a code significance to the code areas for which assignment has been deferred in dependence on the code significance assigned to another scanned code area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method set forth in claim 1 including the further step of establishing the code significance to be assigned to the code areas for which assignment has been deferred in dependence on the code significance assigned to a subsequently scanned code area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method set forth in Claim 1 including the further step of establishing the code significance to be assigned to the code areas for which assignment has been deferred in dependence on the code significance assigned to a previously scanned code area.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a sequence of code areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises a reader responsive to the code areas for sensing the code areas on the record, at least a pair of storage means controlled by the reader for storing first values representing the sizes of different code areas in sequence, a pair of register means for individually storing in sequence values greater than and less than the values of the sizes of different code areas, comparing means coupled to and controlled by the pair of register means and the storage means for successively comparing the different values stored in the pair of register means with the values stored in different ones of the storage means, and means coupled to and controlled by the comparing means for determining the code values of the code areas.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a sequence of code areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises a reader responsive to the code areas for sensing the code areas on the record, at least a pair of storage means controlled by the reader for storing first values representing the sizes of different code areas in sequence, a pair of register means for individually storing in sequence values greater than and less than the values of the sizes of different code areas, comparing means coupled to and controlled by the pair of register means and the storage means for successively comparing the different values stored in the pair of register means with the values stored in different ones of the storage means, and means coupled to and controlled by the comparing means for determining the code values of the code areas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system set forth in claim 4 in which the pair of register means includes counting circuits, and the system includes both a clock signal source and clock signal dividing circuits coupled to said counting circuits and controlled by the reader for storing the values in the pair of register means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
208 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a sequence of code areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises a reader responsive to the code areas for sensing the code areas on the record, a plurality of storage means each adapted to store a first value representing the size of one of the code areas, first gating means between the reader and the storage means for storing values representing the sizes of different code areas in different ones of the storage means, a first register for storing a second value less than the size of a code area, a second register for storing a third value greater than the size of a code area, first control circuit means controlled by the reader for storing the second and third values in the first and second registers representing the different code areas, comparing means for determining the relation of the first value to the second and third values and coupled to the first and second registers, second gating means between the plurality of storage means and the comparing means for supplying first values in sequence to the comparing means, and second control circuit means controlled by the comparing means for assigning code values to the code areas.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
208 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a sequence of code areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises a reader responsive to the code areas for sensing the code areas on the record, a plurality of storage means each adapted to store a first value representing the size of one of the code areas, first gating means between the reader and the storage means for storing values representing the sizes of different code areas in different ones of the storage means, a first register for storing a second value less than the size of a code area, a second register for storing a third value greater than the size of a code area, first control circuit means controlled by the reader for storing the second and third values in the first and second registers representing the different code areas, comparing means for determining the relation of the first value to the second and third values and coupled to the first and second registers, second gating means between the plurality of storage means and the comparing means for supplying first values in sequence to the comparing means, and second control circuit means controlled by the comparing means for assigning code values to the code areas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system set forth in claim 6 in which the code areas in said sequence are of at least two different characteristics, and the comparing means compares first, second, and third values derived from areas of like characteristics.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
The system set forth in claim 6 in which the first control means includes means for storing second and third values in the first and second registers corresponding to the code area sensed by the reader, the first gating means includes means for concurrently storing a first value in one of the storage means corresponding to the code area sensed by the reader, and the second gating means includes means for supplying a first value to the comparing means corresponding to a code area previously sensed by the reader.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system set forth in claim 6 in which the second gating means includes means for selecting a first value corresponding to a previously sensed code area that is spaced at least one code area in said sequence from the code area represented by the second and third values in the first and second registers.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a series of areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises record reading means responsive to the code areas, size evaluating Means controlled by the record reading means for determining whether the relative size or status of a given code area relative to another code area is a greater than status, a less than status, or an equality status, storage means for storing code values, first logic circuit means controlled by the size evaluating means for storing a corresponding code value in the storage means representing said given area only when the size evaluating means determines that a greater than or less than status exists, and second logic circuit means for thereafter storing in said storage means proper code values for those code areas previously determined to have an equality status.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a series of areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises record reading means responsive to the code areas, size evaluating Means controlled by the record reading means for determining whether the relative size or status of a given code area relative to another code area is a greater than status, a less than status, or an equality status, storage means for storing code values, first logic circuit means controlled by the size evaluating means for storing a corresponding code value in the storage means representing said given area only when the size evaluating means determines that a greater than or less than status exists, and second logic circuit means for thereafter storing in said storage means proper code values for those code areas previously determined to have an equality status.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a series of areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises an area responsive reader, size evaluating means coupled to and controlled by the reader for sequentially determining the size relationship status between a given code area and another code area as being a greater than status, a less than status, or an equality status, storage means for storing code values, first logic circuit means controlled by the size evaluating means for entering code values into the storage means for the code areas having a greater than and a less than status, and second logic circuit means controlled by the first logic circuit means for storing code values in the storage means for those code areas having an equality status.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a series of areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises an area responsive reader, size evaluating means coupled to and controlled by the reader for sequentially determining the size relationship status between a given code area and another code area as being a greater than status, a less than status, or an equality status, storage means for storing code values, first logic circuit means controlled by the size evaluating means for entering code values into the storage means for the code areas having a greater than and a less than status, and second logic circuit means controlled by the first logic circuit means for storing code values in the storage means for those code areas having an equality status.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system set forth in claim 11 in which the second logic circuit means is coupled to the storage means and controlled by code values stored therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system set forth in claim 11 in which the second logic circuit means includes means controlled by the code value entered into the storage means by the first logic circuit means for a given code area for controlling the code value stored in the storage means for another code area having an equality status.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a series of areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises an area responsive reader, size evaluating means coupled to and controlled by the reader for sequentially determining the size relationship status between a given code area and another code area as being a greater than status, a less than status, or an equality status, a shift register with a plurality of stages through which data moves from an input to an output, first logic circuit means coupled to and controlled by the size evaluating means for entering different code values in sequence into the shift register representing different code areas and determined by the greater than status or less than status of these code areas, and second logic circuit means for entering code values into the shift register for those code areas having an equality status and including means for entering code values at stages intermediate the shift register input and output.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a series of areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises an area responsive reader, size evaluating means coupled to and controlled by the reader for sequentially determining the size relationship status between a given code area and another code area as being a greater than status, a less than status, or an equality status, a shift register with a plurality of stages through which data moves from an input to an output, first logic circuit means coupled to and controlled by the size evaluating means for entering different code values in sequence into the shift register representing different code areas and determined by the greater than status or less than status of these code areas, and second logic circuit means for entering code values into the shift register for those code areas having an equality status and including means for entering code values at stages intermediate the shift register input and output.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
184 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a series of areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises, an area responsive reader, size evaluating means coupled to and controlled by the reader for sequentially determining the size relationship status between a given code area and another code area as being a greater than status, a less than status, or an equality status, a shift register having a plurality of stages intermediate a shift register input stage and a shift register output stage, an advance signal source coupled to the shift register for advancing data from the input stage through the intermediate stages of the shift register, and logic circuit means coupled to the shift register for controlling the immediate entry of a code value into the shift register representing a code area when the status of the code area is determined to be greater than or less than and for delaying the entry of a code value into the shift register at least one Advance of the shift register when the status of a code area is determined to be equality.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
184 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a series of areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises, an area responsive reader, size evaluating means coupled to and controlled by the reader for sequentially determining the size relationship status between a given code area and another code area as being a greater than status, a less than status, or an equality status, a shift register having a plurality of stages intermediate a shift register input stage and a shift register output stage, an advance signal source coupled to the shift register for advancing data from the input stage through the intermediate stages of the shift register, and logic circuit means coupled to the shift register for controlling the immediate entry of a code value into the shift register representing a code area when the status of the code area is determined to be greater than or less than and for delaying the entry of a code value into the shift register at least one Advance of the shift register when the status of a code area is determined to be equality.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
164 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a series of areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises an area responsive reader, size evaluating means coupled to and controlled by the reader for sequentially determining the size relationship status between a given code area and another code area as being a greater than status, a less than status, or an equality status, a shift register having a plurality of stages intermediate a shift register input stage and a shift register output stage, an advance signal source coupled to the shift register for advancing data from the input stage through the intermediate stages of the shift register, means for entering a given code value in the input stage of the shift register on each advance signal, and logic circuit means controlled by the size evaluating means and coupled to the input stage of the shift register and at least one intermediate stage for changing said given code value to another code value.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
164 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a series of areas of different sizes representing different code values which comprises an area responsive reader, size evaluating means coupled to and controlled by the reader for sequentially determining the size relationship status between a given code area and another code area as being a greater than status, a less than status, or an equality status, a shift register having a plurality of stages intermediate a shift register input stage and a shift register output stage, an advance signal source coupled to the shift register for advancing data from the input stage through the intermediate stages of the shift register, means for entering a given code value in the input stage of the shift register on each advance signal, and logic circuit means controlled by the size evaluating means and coupled to the input stage of the shift register and at least one intermediate stage for changing said given code value to another code value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system set forth in claim 16 in which the logic circuit means immediately controls the entry of a code value into the shift register when the status of a code area is determined to be less than or greater than and includes means to delay entry of the code value for at least one advance of the shift register when the status of a code area is determined to be equality.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of interpreting a record encoded with code areas of different sizes with a record reader which comprises the steps of sequentially sensing different code areas with the record reader including first and second code areas which are separated by at least one other code area intermediate said first and second code areas, establishing a first value in dependence upon the size of said first code area, establishing a second value in dependence upon the product of a constant greater than one and the size of said second code area, establishing a third value in dependence upon the quotient of a constant greater than one and the size of the said second code area, and determining the relation of the first value to the second and third values as an indication of the code significance of the given code area.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of interpreting a record encoded with code areas of different sizes with a record reader which comprises the steps of sequentially sensing different code areas with the record reader including first and second code areas which are separated by at least one other code area intermediate said first and second code areas, establishing a first value in dependence upon the size of said first code area, establishing a second value in dependence upon the product of a constant greater than one and the size of said second code area, establishing a third value in dependence upon the quotient of a constant greater than one and the size of the said second code area, and determining the relation of the first value to the second and third values as an indication of the code significance of the given code area.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
162 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a series of areas of different sizes groups of which areas represent different code values, said system comprising an area-responsive reader, size evaluating means coupled to and controlled by the reader for sequentially determining the relative size - greater-than, less-than, or equal - of selected code areas in each group with respect to other selected code areas in the same group and for sequentially providing a corresponding sequence of greater-than, less-than, and equality signals for each group, and decoding means coupled to the size evaluating means and controlled by said greater-than, less-than, and equality signals for presenting the code values corresponding to each group of areas, said decoding means including register means for storing representations of the greater-than, less-than, and equality signal sequences for each group and also including signal decoding means coupled to said register for decoding the representations within said register means and for presenting the decoded representations as the code values.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
162 words
A system for interpreting a record encoded with a series of areas of different sizes groups of which areas represent different code values, said system comprising an area-responsive reader, size evaluating means coupled to and controlled by the reader for sequentially determining the relative size - greater-than, less-than, or equal - of selected code areas in each group with respect to other selected code areas in the same group and for sequentially providing a corresponding sequence of greater-than, less-than, and equality signals for each group, and decoding means coupled to the size evaluating means and controlled by said greater-than, less-than, and equality signals for presenting the code values corresponding to each group of areas, said decoding means including register means for storing representations of the greater-than, less-than, and equality signal sequences for each group and also including signal decoding means coupled to said register for decoding the representations within said register means and for presenting the decoded representations as the code values.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system set forth in claim 19 in which the register means includes one register storing representations of greater than signals and another register storing representations of less than signals.
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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |