US5896403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Dot code and information recording/reproducing system for recording/reproducing the same
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1993-09-28
•
Granted: 1999-04-20
•
Expires: 2013-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A long time optical recording and repeated reproduction of multimedia information is possible. Using a printer system or printing process system, on a recording medium such as a sheet, the so-called multimedia information in the form of dot codes (36) together with images (32) and characters (34) is recorded. The multimedia information includes audio information such as voices, image information obtainable from a camera and others, and digitally coded data obtainable from a personal computer and other. A pen-like information reproducing device (40) is manually moved to scan the dot codes (36) and to take in the dot codes. The original sound is generated by a voice output device (42) such as an earphone, the original image information is outputted on a display such as a CRT, and the digitally coded original data to a page printer or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Tatsuo Nagasaki
- 👤 Hiroyoshi Fujimori
- 👤 Takeshi Mori
- 👤 Shinzo Matsui
- 👤 Yoshikazu Akamine
- 👤 Seiichi Wakamatsu
- 👤 Kazuhiko Morita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; G; G06; G06K; G06K1/00; G06K1/12; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/40; G06F16/43; G06F16/432; G06F16/434; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06037; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/06; G09B5/062; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/002; G11B7/0033; G11B7/007; G11B7/013; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00326; H04N1/21; H04N1/2104; H04N1/2162; H04N1/32128; H04N1/32133; G06K2019/06215; G06K2019/06225; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3261; H04N2201/3264; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/3271; H04N2201/3274; H04N2201/3277
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An optically readable dot code comprising blocks arranged and sized so that a plurality of said blocks fits within a field of view of a reader for scanning the blocks to optically read the dot code, each of the blocks including: a data dot pattern comprising a plurality of dots arranged in accordance with contents of information to be recorded, a marker by which the existence of the block is recognized, and a block address pattern representing an address of the block in the dot code, the data dot pattern, the marker, and the block address pattern being arranged in accordance with a predetermined positional relationship within each block; wherein the address of each block is such that the blocks can be individually identified and the dot code correctly read irrespective of an order in which the blocks are scanned by the reader.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
An optically readable dot code comprising blocks arranged and sized so that a plurality of said blocks fits within a field of view of a reader for scanning the blocks to optically read the dot code, each of the blocks including: a data dot pattern comprising a plurality of dots arranged in accordance with contents of information to be recorded, a marker by which the existence of the block is recognized, and a block address pattern representing an address of the block in the dot code, the data dot pattern, the marker, and the block address pattern being arranged in accordance with a predetermined positional relationship within each block; wherein the address of each block is such that the blocks can be individually identified and the dot code correctly read irrespective of an order in which the blocks are scanned by the reader.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dot code according to claim 1, wherein the blocks are arranged in lines in two directions different from each other so as to be adjacent to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A dot code according to claim 2, wherein the data dot pattern in each of the blocks is constituted by a plurality of dots which are two-dimensionally arranged in accordance With a predetermined format.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A dot code according to claim 3, wherein the blocks are formed to have the same size.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A dot code according to claim 4, wherein an area of the dot code is set larger than the field of view of the reading means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A dot code according to claim 4, wherein: each of the blocks are formed to have a rectangular shape, the marker of each of the blocks is arranged such that a corner of each of the blocks is located on a center of the marker, and the data dot pattern is located in a region surrounded by the markers at the four corners of each of the blocks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A dot code according to claim 3, wherein the blocks are formed to have the same size such that blocks on an imaging face of a reader for optically reading the dot codes have a size smaller than the imaging area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A dot code according to claim 7, wherein an area of the dot code on the reading face is set larger than the imaging area of the reader.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
A dot code according to claim 7, wherein: each of the blocks are formed to have a rectangular shape, the marker of each of the blocks is arranged such that a corner of each of the blocks is located on a center of the marker, and the data dot pattern is located in a region surrounded by the markers at the four corners of each of the blocks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A dot code according to claim 9, wherein the blocks adjacent to each other have a marker in common at the corner in contact with each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A dot code according to claim 9, wherein the blocks adjacent to each other have a marker in common at the corner in contact with each other, and the block address pattern is arranged in a region between a pair of markers located at positions corresponding to one side common to the adjacent blocks.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dot code according to claim 11, wherein the markers are separated from the block address pattern by a predetermined distance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A dot code according to claim 11, wherein the block address patterns are separated from the data dot patterns by a predetermined distance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dot code according to claim 11, wherein the markers are separated from the data dot pattern by a predetermined distance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A dot code according to claim 11, wherein the block address pattern comprises a dot pattern for pattern-matching, which is directed in a predetermined direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A dot code according to claim 15, wherein the markers and the pattern-matching dot pattern are separated from each other by a predetermined distance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A dot code according to claim 15, wherein pattern-matching dot patterns are separated from the data dot patterns by a predetermined distance.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
A dot code according to claim 9, wherein the blocks adjacent to each other have a marker in common at the corner in contact with each other, and a dot pattern for pattern-matching is arranged in a region between a pair of markers located at positions corresponding to one side common to the adjacent blocks.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dot code according to claim 18, wherein the markers are separated from the pattern-matching dot pattern by a predetermined distance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A dot code according to claim 18, wherein pattern-matching dot patterns are separated from the data dot patterns by a predetermined distance.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
A dot code according to claim 1, wherein the data dot pattern in each of the blocks is constituted by a plurality of dots which are two-dimensionally arranged in accordance with a predetermined format.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
66 words
A dot code according to claim 21, wherein: the blocks are formed to have a rectangular shape, the marker is arranged such that a corner of each of the blocks is located on a center of the marker, and the data dot pattern and the block address pattern are located in a region surrounded by the markers at the four corners of each of the blocks.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A dot code according to claim 22, wherein the block address pattern is arranged in a region between a pair of markers located at positions corresponding to one side of the rectangular shape.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A dot code according to claim 1, wherein each of the markers is constituted by a pattern which cannot be identical to the data dot pattern.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dot code according to claim 1, wherein the markers are separated from the block address pattern by a predetermined distance.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A dot code according to claim 1, wherein the block address patterns are separated from the data dot patterns by a predetermined distance.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dot code according to claim 1, wherein the markers are separated from the data dot pattern by a predetermined distance.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
A dot code according to claim 1, wherein the markers are directed to correspond to that of an arrangement of the data dot pattern.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
A dot code according to claim 28, wherein the marker includes a sub-mark representing that the marker is directed to correspond to a direction of an arrangement of the data dot pattern.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
A dot code according to claim 1, wherein the marker is formed to be shaped irrelevant to the direction of an arrangement of the data dot pattern.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
A dot code according to claim 1, wherein the block address pattern includes block address data and at least one of error correction code data and error detection code data of the block address data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
A dot code according to claim 31, wherein the block address pattern includes a dot pattern for pattern-matching, which is directed in a predetermined direction in a part of at least one of error correction code data and error detection code data of the block address data.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
215 words
An information recording system for recording a dot code on a recording medium so as to be optically read, the dot code comprising blocks arranged and sized so that a plurality of said blocks fits within a field of view of a reader for scanning the blocks to optically read the dot code, each of the blocks including: a data dot pattern comprising a plurality of dots arranged in accordance with contents of information data to be recorded, a marker by which the existence of the block is recognized, and a block address pattern representing an address of the block in the dot code, the data dot pattern, the marker, and the block address pattern being arranged in accordance with a predetermined positional relationship within each block; wherein the address of each block is such that the blocks can be individually identified and the dot code correctly read irrespective of an order in which the blocks are scanned by the reader; the information recording system comprising: input means for inputting the information data to be recorded; conversion means for converting the information data input by said input means into dot code data; and recording means for recording on the recording medium the dot code data converted by said conversion means, as optically readable dot code.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
215 words
An information recording system for recording a dot code on a recording medium so as to be optically read, the dot code comprising blocks arranged and sized so that a plurality of said blocks fits within a field of view of a reader for scanning the blocks to optically read the dot code, each of the blocks including: a data dot pattern comprising a plurality of dots arranged in accordance with contents of information data to be recorded, a marker by which the existence of the block is recognized, and a block address pattern representing an address of the block in the dot code, the data dot pattern, the marker, and the block address pattern being arranged in accordance with a predetermined positional relationship within each block; wherein the address of each block is such that the blocks can be individually identified and the dot code correctly read irrespective of an order in which the blocks are scanned by the reader; the information recording system comprising: input means for inputting the information data to be recorded; conversion means for converting the information data input by said input means into dot code data; and recording means for recording on the recording medium the dot code data converted by said conversion means, as optically readable dot code.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
An information recording system according to claim 33, wherein the blocks are arranged in lines in two directions different from each other so as to be adjacent to each other.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
An information recording system according to claim 34, wherein the data dot pattern in each of the blocks is constituted by a plurality of dots which are two-dimensionally arranged in accordance with a predetermined format.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
61 words
An information recording system according to claim 33, wherein said conversion means includes: data arranging means for arranging information data input from said input means so as to be suitable to be recorded, and data addition means for generating address-added data comprising data of the block address and data output from said data arranging means in accordance with a predetermined format.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
55 words
An information recording system according to claim 36, wherein said conversion means further includes: modulating means for modulating the address-added data output from said data addition means in order to distinguish the address-added data from the marker, and marker addition means for adding at least one marker to the data modulated by said modulating means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
58 words
An information recording system according to claim 37, further comprising synthesizing means for synthesizing the data output from said marker addition means and the other data to be recorded on the recording medium, and wherein said recording means records on the recording medium in a form corresponding to the contents of the data synthesized by said synthesizing means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
72 words
An information recording system according to claim 33, wherein said conversion means includes: data arranging means for arranging information data input from said input means so as to be suitable to be recorded, modulating means for modulating the data output from said data addition means in order to distinguish the data from the marker, and marker addition means for adding data of the marker to the data modulated by said modulating means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
81 words
An information recording system according to claim 33, wherein said conversion means includes: data arranging means for arranging information data input from said input means so as to be suitable to be recorded, modulating means for modulating the data output from said data arranging means in order to distinguish the data from the marker, and data addition means for generating address-added data comprising data of the block address and data output from said modulating means in accordance with a predetermined format.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
84 words
An information recording system according to claim 33, wherein said conversion means includes: interleaving means for, when the information data input from said input means is arranged so as to be suitable to be recorded, changing the arrangement of data in accordance with a predetermined rule such that the data is two-dimensionally dispersed in the dot code to be recorded, and marker addition means for adding data of the marker to the data having the arrangement of which are changed by said interleaving means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
93 words
An information recording system according to claim 33, wherein said conversion means includes: interleaving means for, when the information data input from said input means is arranged so as to be suitable to be recorded, changing the arrangement of data in accordance with a predetermined rule such that the data is two-dimensionally dispersed in the dot code to be recorded, and data addition means for generating address-added data comprising data of the block address and data having the arrangement of which are changed by said interleaving means in accordance with a predetermined format.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
146 words
An optically readable dot code comprising blocks arranged and sized so that a plurality of said blocks fits on an imaging face of an imaging element of a reader for scanning the blocks to optically read the dot code, each of the blocks including: a data dot pattern comprising a plurality of dots arranged in accordance with contents of information to be recorded, a marker by which the presence of the block is recognized, and a block address pattern representing an address of the block in the dot code, the data dot pattern, the marker, and the block address pattern being arranged in accordance with a predetermined positional relationship within each block; wherein the address of each block is such that the blocks can be individually identified and the dot code correctly read irrespective of an order in which the blocks are scanned by the reader.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
146 words
An optically readable dot code comprising blocks arranged and sized so that a plurality of said blocks fits on an imaging face of an imaging element of a reader for scanning the blocks to optically read the dot code, each of the blocks including: a data dot pattern comprising a plurality of dots arranged in accordance with contents of information to be recorded, a marker by which the presence of the block is recognized, and a block address pattern representing an address of the block in the dot code, the data dot pattern, the marker, and the block address pattern being arranged in accordance with a predetermined positional relationship within each block; wherein the address of each block is such that the blocks can be individually identified and the dot code correctly read irrespective of an order in which the blocks are scanned by the reader.
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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) | 2002-04-19 | 2002-10-19 | 2003-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-19 | 2006-10-19 | 2007-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-19 | 2010-10-19 | 2011-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |