US4286146A — Coded label and code reader for the coded label

Claim 1

Independent Claim 85 words

A coded label comprising at least one code pattern to be read by a code reader in which segments having a specific shape and assuming either of first and second physical characteristics different from each other are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and an area of the coded label surrounding said code pattern having said second physical characteristic, at least one segment of said first physical characteristic being arranged in each of both end rows of said code pattern.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 85 words

A coded label comprising at least one code pattern to be read by a code reader in which segments having a specific shape and assuming either of first and second physical characteristics different from each other are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and an area of the coded label surrounding said code pattern having said second physical characteristic, at least one segment of said first physical characteristic being arranged in each of both end rows of said code pattern.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

The coded label according to claim 1, wherein at least one segment of said first state is arranged in each of both end columns of said code pattern.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 47 words

The coded label according to claim 1, wherein the number of said segments of said first state arranged in either of each column and each row of said code pattern is equal to or larger than the number of said segments of said second state similarly arranged.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 28 words

The coded label according to claim 1, wherein the number of said segments of said first state in said code pattern is either of even and odd numbers.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 32 words

The coded label according to claim 1, wherein the number of said segments of said first state arranged in either of each column and each row of said code pattern is equal.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The coded label according to claim 1, wherein the shape of said each segment is a rectangle.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

The coded label according to claim 1, wherein in constructing the code pattern by arraying said segments in m rows and n columns, the value m is at least four, and the value n is at least two.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 32 words

The coded label according to claim 7, wherein said segments constituting said code pattern and assuming either of said first and second states are arrayed so as to represent a specific symbol.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 47 words

The coded label according to claim 7, wherein the number of said segments of said first state arranged in either of each column and each row of said code pattern is equal to or larger than the number of said segments of said second state similarly arranged.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 26 words

The coded label according to claim 1, wherein the numbers of said segments of said first state arranged in respective columns are equal to each other.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

The coded label according to claim 1, wherein the coded label consists of said at least one code pattern and said area surrounding said code pattern.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 26 words

The coded label according to claim 11, wherein the numbers of said segments of said first state arranged in respective columns are equal to each other.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 110 words

A reader comprising image pickup means for picking up an image pattern including a coded label comprising at least one code pattern in which segments having a specific shape and assuming either of first and second states different from each other are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and an area of the coded label surrounding said code pattern assuming said second state, at least one segment of said first state being arranged in each of both end rows of said code pattern, and decision means for deciding a content of said code pattern from said image pattern picked up by said image pickup means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 110 words

A reader comprising image pickup means for picking up an image pattern including a coded label comprising at least one code pattern in which segments having a specific shape and assuming either of first and second states different from each other are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and an area of the coded label surrounding said code pattern assuming said second state, at least one segment of said first state being arranged in each of both end rows of said code pattern, and decision means for deciding a content of said code pattern from said image pattern picked up by said image pickup means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 45 words

The reader according to claim 13, wherein said decision means includes extraction means for extracting a part of said image pattern from said image pickup means, and judgement means for judging if the partial pattern extracted by said extraction means coincides with the specific pattern.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 50 words

The reader according to claim 14, wherein said extraction means includes bi-valuing means for binary-coding said image pattern from the image means, sampling means for sampling at a predetermined period the pattern binary-coded by said bi-valuing means, and shift register means for storing outputs of said sampling means in succession.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 169 words

A machine readable coded label comprising a label member having at least a first surface area and at least one code pattern disposed on said first surface area of said label member to be read by a reading machine, said code pattern including a plurality of segments of a predetermined shape, said plurality of segments being arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on said first surface area of said label member, each of said segments having either first or second physical characteristics, and a region of said first surface area of said label member surrounding said code pattern having said second physical characteristic, at least one segment of said code pattern arranged in each of both end rows of said code pattern disposed on said first surface area of said label member having said first physical characteristic, said code pattern disposed on said first surface area of said label member enabling easy discrimination of the contours thereof and correct decoding by the reading machine.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 169 words

A machine readable coded label comprising a label member having at least a first surface area and at least one code pattern disposed on said first surface area of said label member to be read by a reading machine, said code pattern including a plurality of segments of a predetermined shape, said plurality of segments being arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on said first surface area of said label member, each of said segments having either first or second physical characteristics, and a region of said first surface area of said label member surrounding said code pattern having said second physical characteristic, at least one segment of said code pattern arranged in each of both end rows of said code pattern disposed on said first surface area of said label member having said first physical characteristic, said code pattern disposed on said first surface area of said label member enabling easy discrimination of the contours thereof and correct decoding by the reading machine.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 64 words

The coded label according to claim 16, wherein said first physical characteristic is provided by predetermined ones of said plurality of segments having a first light property and said second physical characteristic is provided by other predetermined ones of said plurality of segments and said region of said first surface area of said label member surrounding said code pattern having a second light property.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

The coded label according to claim 16, wherein at least one segment having said first physical characteristic is arranged in each of both end columns of said code pattern.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 48 words

The coded label according to claim 16, wherein the number of said segments having said first physical characteristic arranged in either of each column and each row of said code pattern is at least equal to the number of said segments having said second physical characteristic similarly arranged.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 35 words

The coded label according to claim 16, wherein the number of said segments having said first physical characteristic arranged in at least one of each column and each row of said code pattern is equal.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 27 words

The coded label according to claim 16, wherein said code pattern comprises said plurality of segments arranged in at least four rows and at least two columns.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 19 words

The coded label according to claim 16, wherein said segments arranged in said rows and columns are adjoining segments.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 13 words

The coded label according to claim 22, wherein said segments are congruent rectangles.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 13 words

The coded label according to claim 23, wherein said segments are congruent squares.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 40 words

The coded label according to claim 16, wherein a plurality of said code patterns is disposed on said first surface area of said label member, each of said code patterns being representative of one of a same or different character.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 31 words

The code label according to claim 25, wherein each of said code patterns further includes at least one segment having said first physical characteristic arranged in each of both end columns.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 19 words

The coded label according to claim 26, wherein each code pattern is provided with two columns and four rows.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 19 words

The coded label according to claim 16, wherein said code pattern is arranged in two columns and four rows.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 30 words

The coded label according to claim 28, wherein said code pattern further includes at least one segment having said first physical characteristic arranged in each of said two columns thereof.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 163 words

A reading machine comprising image pickup means for picking up an image pattern including a coded label having at least one code pattern disposed on a first surface area of said label, said code pattern having a plurality of segments of a predetermined shape with said plurality of segments being arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on said first surface area of said label, each of said segments having either first or second physical characteristics and a region of said first surface area of said label surrounding said code pattern having said second physical characteristic, at least one segment arranged in each of both end rows of said code pattern disposed on said first surface area of said label having said first physical characteristic, decision means for determining a content of said code pattern from said image pattern picked up by said image pickup means, and means for providing an output signal in response to said decision means.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 163 words

A reading machine comprising image pickup means for picking up an image pattern including a coded label having at least one code pattern disposed on a first surface area of said label, said code pattern having a plurality of segments of a predetermined shape with said plurality of segments being arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on said first surface area of said label, each of said segments having either first or second physical characteristics and a region of said first surface area of said label surrounding said code pattern having said second physical characteristic, at least one segment arranged in each of both end rows of said code pattern disposed on said first surface area of said label having said first physical characteristic, decision means for determining a content of said code pattern from said image pattern picked up by said image pickup means, and means for providing an output signal in response to said decision means.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 46 words

A reading machine according to claim 30, wherein said decision means includes extraction means for extracting a part of said image pattern from said image pickup means, and determining means for determining if the partial pattern extracted by said extraction means coincides with a predetermined pattern.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 52 words

A reading machine according to claim 31, wherein said extraction means includes by-valuing means for binary-coding said image pattern from said image pickup means, sampling means for sampling at a predetermined period the pattern binary-coded by said by-valuing means, and shift register means for storing outputs of said sampling means in succession.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1984-08-24	1985-02-23	1985-08-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1988-08-24	1989-02-23	1989-08-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1992-08-24	1993-02-23	1993-08-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Coded label and code reader for the coded label

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