US5554841A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article marker and decoding method
Assignee: Lynn Ltd
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Filing: 1994-03-01
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Granted: 1996-09-10
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Expires: 2014-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A graphical symbol encoding a numerical value may be accurately read even when placed on a non-planar surface. The marker is imaged with an inventive apparatus and analyzed using an inventive method which translates the graphical image into a unique number for article identification purposes. The marker in its preferred embodiment includes an outer ring having a continuous perimeter in one or more concentric data tracks disposed within this outer ring. A timing track is used to determine angular relationships about the center of the marker. Distances between points associated with the outer ring in a particular data track are used in conjunction with these angular relationships to locate a digitally encoded visual pattern associated with a particular data track, this pattern being used to store at least a portion of a numerical code used to identify each marker-bearing article.
Inventors
- 👤 Karen L. Kost
- 👤 William J. Fry
- 👤 Timothy Lock
- 👤 Michael S. Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06037; A; A61; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/90; A61B90/94; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10712; G06K7/10722; G06K7/10732; G06K2019/06215; G06K2019/06243
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A marker digitally encoding a numerical value, comprising: a perimeter having a predetermined shape; a center; a plurality of references, spaced apart around the perimeter to determine angular displacement about the center; at least one concentric data track disposed within the perimeter, the shape of the track being substantially similar to that of the perimeter; a digitally encoded bit pattern associated with the data track, the location of a particular bit within the pattern being determinable as a function of angular displacement and distance as measured radially inwardly from the closest point associated with the perimeter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A marker digitally encoding a numerical value, comprising: a perimeter having a predetermined shape; a center; a plurality of references, spaced apart around the perimeter to determine angular displacement about the center; at least one concentric data track disposed within the perimeter, the shape of the track being substantially similar to that of the perimeter; a digitally encoded bit pattern associated with the data track, the location of a particular bit within the pattern being determinable as a function of angular displacement and distance as measured radially inwardly from the closest point associated with the perimeter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The marker of claim 1 wherein the perimeter and data track are substantially circular in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The marker of claim 2 wherein the distance as measured radially inwardly from the perimeter represents the diameter of the circle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The marker of claim 2 wherein the distance as measured radially inwardly from the perimeter represents the radius of the circle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The marker of claim 1, including bits dedicated to error detection and correction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
An article tracking system, comprising: means to apply a marker according to claim 1 on an article; a programmed computer including means to input an image of the marker on the article; and software resident on the computer to process the image of the marker and decode its numerical value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 6, further including means to uniformly illuminate the marker on the article to improve imaging accuracy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
An article tracking method, comprising the steps of: marking an article with a pattern storing a unique number in the form of digital bits disposed along at least one data track contained within a perimeter, the location of a particular bit in the track being defined by the steps of: a. determining angular displacement along the data track followed by, b. measuring the distance radially inwardly with respect to the closest region of the perimeter of the marker.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
An article tracking method, comprising the steps of: marking an article with a pattern storing a unique number in the form of digital bits disposed along at least one data track contained within a perimeter, the location of a particular bit in the track being defined by the steps of: a. determining angular displacement along the data track followed by, b. measuring the distance radially inwardly with respect to the closest region of the perimeter of the marker.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 8, further including the steps of: finding the center of the marker; and calculating the distance between the points along the perimeter of the marker in conjunction with the center of the marker to determine the outer shape of the marker.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the step of finding the center of the marker includes: imaging visual indicia indicative of the center of the marker.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 8, wherein: the step of using the outer shape to find a data track within the area defined by the perimeter of the marker includes finding a timing track, the step of reading the timing track includes finding angular relationships between points along the timing track and the center of the marker, and further including the step of: using the angular relationships in conjunction with the outer shape to find and read a data track other than the timing track.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 8, further including the steps of: storing data representative of a predetermined marker shape; comparing points found along the perimeter of the located marker with the data representative of the predetermined marker shape to determine one of more adjustment factors; and using an adjustment factor to find a data track within the area defined by the perimeter of the located marker.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article tracking system of claim 6, the article being a surgical instrument.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of marking an article includes the step of marking a surgical instrument.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
76 words
A marker digitally encoding a numerical value, comprising: a perimeter having a predetermined shape; a center; at least one reference to determine angular displacement about the center; and at least one data track disposed within the perimeter, the data track including a bit pattern digitally encoding a numerical value, the location of a particular bit within the pattern being determinable as a function of angular displacement and a ratio of distance as measured across the marker.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
76 words
A marker digitally encoding a numerical value, comprising: a perimeter having a predetermined shape; a center; at least one reference to determine angular displacement about the center; and at least one data track disposed within the perimeter, the data track including a bit pattern digitally encoding a numerical value, the location of a particular bit within the pattern being determinable as a function of angular displacement and a ratio of distance as measured across the marker.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The marker of claim 15, the shape of the data track being in geometric conformance with that of the perimeter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The marker of claim 16 wherein the perimeter and data track are substantially circular in shape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The marker of claim 15, including a plurality of concentric data tracks.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
A marker digitally encoding a numerical value, comprising: a perimeter having a predetermined shape; a center; at least one reference to determine angular displacement about the center; at least one data track disposed within the perimeter, the data track including a bit pattern digitally encoding a numerical value, the location of a particular bit within the pattern being determinable as a function of angular displacement and a ratio of distance as measured between the center and perimeter of the marker.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
80 words
A marker digitally encoding a numerical value, comprising: a perimeter having a predetermined shape; a center; at least one reference to determine angular displacement about the center; at least one data track disposed within the perimeter, the data track including a bit pattern digitally encoding a numerical value, the location of a particular bit within the pattern being determinable as a function of angular displacement and a ratio of distance as measured between the center and perimeter of the marker.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The marker of claim 19, the shape of the data track being in geometric conformance with that of the perimeter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The marker of claim 20 wherein the perimeter and data track are substantially circular in shape.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The marker of claim 20, including a plurality of concentric data tracks.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-10 | 2000-03-11 | 2000-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-10 | 2004-03-11 | 2004-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-10 | 2008-03-11 | 2008-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |