Abstract A self-clocking glyph code is provided for encoding n-bit long digital values (where n>1) in a logically ordered sequence of composite glyphs that are written, printed, or otherwise recorded on a hardcopy recording medium in accordance with a predetermined spatial formatting rule. As used herein, a "composite glyph" is a graphical symbol that has a plurality of predefined, substantially orthogonal, graphical characteristics; each of which is capable of assuming any one of a plurality of predefined graphical states. An n-bit long digital value is distributively encoded in a glyph of this type by decomposing its n-bits, prior to or during the encoding, into a plurality of shorter, ordered, non-overlapping bit strings. The digital values of these bit strings, in turn, are encoded in the states of respective graphical characteristics of the composite glyph in a predetermined logical order, thereby preserving the logical ordering of the bit strings.
A self-clocking glyph code for transferring multi-bit digital values back and forth between an electronic domain and a hardcopy domain, said code comprising a logically ordered sequence of mutually independent glyphs that are written on said recording medium in accordance with a predetermined spatial formatting rule, said glyphs all being of substantially uniform size; each of said glyphs having a plurality of predetermined, discriminable graphical characteristics; and each of said graphical characteristics having a plurality of predetermined, discriminable graphical states; said multi-bit digital values being distributively encoded in a predetermined logical order in the states of the graphical characteristics of respective ones of said glyphs, whereby each of said digital values is encoded as a plurality of logically ordered bit strings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A self-clocking glyph code for transferring multi-bit digital values back and forth between an electronic domain and a hardcopy domain, said code comprising a logically ordered sequence of mutually independent glyphs that are written on said recording medium in accordance with a predetermined spatial formatting rule, said glyphs all being of substantially uniform size; each of said glyphs having a plurality of predetermined, discriminable graphical characteristics; and each of said graphical characteristics having a plurality of predetermined, discriminable graphical states; said multi-bit digital values being distributively encoded in a predetermined logical order in the states of the graphical characteristics of respective ones of said glyphs, whereby each of said digital values is encoded as a plurality of logically ordered bit strings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The self-clocking glyph code of claim 1 wherein each of said graphical characteristics has two permissible states for the encoding of respective one bit long bit strings in the states of the respective graphical characteristics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The self-clocking glyph code of claim 1 wherein at least one of said graphical characteristics has 2 m permissible states, where m≧2, for the encoding of m-bit long bit strings therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The self-clocking glyph code of claim 3 wherein wherein said one graphical characteristic is color.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The self-clocking glyph code of any of said claims 1-4 wherein wherein said predetermined graphical characteristics are substantially orthogonal to each other.