Multitrack bar code and associated decoding method

Claim 1

A bar code structure comprising a plurality of ordered rows of bar coded information, the bar coded information in each of the plurality of rows consisting of an array of code words, each code word representing at least one information-bearing character and being selectable in even or odd parity form, each of the characters having a distinct attributable numerical value, at least one of the plurality of characters in each row bearing information regarding the remainder of the characters in that row, the array of code words in each row having a parity pattern indicative of the order of that row, a predetermined one of the ordered rows comprising at least one character containing information regarding the number of ordered rows and regarding the information-bearing characters in the ordered rows.

Claim 24

A method of decoding bar code symbology comprising a plurality of ordered rows of bar code caaracters, each row containing a row check character and a plurality of encoded characters grouped into words, each word having one of two possible parities according to the order of its row and its position within its row, each character having a corresponding numerical value, a predetermined character in a predetermined row specifying both the number of rows and a check sum on the character numerical values, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving the characters contained in a first row of bar code characters; (b) performing a first parity check on the parity of each of the words made from the characters contained in the first received row of bar code characters and returning to step (a) unless the first parity check is passed by each word in the received row; (c) decoding the bar code characters comprising the first received row into their corresponding numerical values; (d) computing a check sum on the corresponding numerical values of the bar code characters; (e) comparing the computed check sum with the numerical value of the check sum character read from the first received row of bar code characters and returning to step (a) if the computed check sum and the received check sum are not equal; (f) performing a second parity check on the parities of the words in the first received row of bar code characters; (g) establishing the order of the first received row of bar code characters based on the result of step (f); (h) determining, from the predetermined character, the number of rows and the data check sum, if the first received row of bar code characters is the predetermined ordered row; (i) receiving the remainder of the rows of bar code characters according to steps (a)-(g) and according to the results of the number of rows determined in step (h) until all of the rows of bar code characters have been received; (j) computing the check sum of the data contained in the rows read according to steps (a)-(i) and comparing the computed data check sum with the received data check sum; (k) returning to step (a) if the computed data check sum is not equal to the received data check sum; and (l) producing a signal signifying a correct decoding of the information contained in the bar code if the computed data check sum is equal to the received data check sum.

Claim 25

A method of decoding bar code symbology comprising a plurality of ordered rows of bar code caaracters, each row containing a row check character and a plurality of encoded characters grouped into words, each word having one of two possible parities according to the order of its row and its position within its row, each character having a corresponding numerical value, a predetermined character in a predetermined row specifying both the number of rows and a check sum on the character numerical values, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving the characters contained in a first row of bar code characters; (b) performing a first parity check on the parity of each of the words made from the characters contained in the first received row of bar code characters and returning to step (a) unless the first parity check is passed by each word in the received row; (c) decoding the bar code characters comprising the first received row into their corresponding numerical values; (d) computing a check sum on the corresponding numerical values of the bar code characters; (e) comparing the computed check sum with the numerical value of the check sum character read from the first received row of bar code characters and returning to step (a) if the computed check sum and the received check sum are not equal; (f) performing a second parity check on the parities of the words in the first received row of bar code characters; (g) establishing the order of the first received row of bar code characters based on the result of step (f); (h) determining, from the predetermined character, the number of rows and the data check sum, if the first received row of bar code characters is the predetermined ordered row; (i) receiving the remainder of the rows of bar code characters according to steps (a)-(g) and according to the results of the number of rows determined in step (h) until all of the rows of bar code characters have been received; (j) computing the check sum of the data contained in the rows read according to steps (a)-(i) and comparing the computed data check sum with the received data check sum; (k) returning to step (a) if the computed data check sum is not equal to the received data check sum; and (l) producing a signal signifying a correct decoding of the information contained in the bar code if the computed data check sum is equal to the received data check sum.