US6047892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-dimensional bar code symbology using implicit version information encoding
Assignee: Symbol Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1998-07-14
•
Granted: 2000-04-11
•
Expires: 2018-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A electro-optical memory includes a substrate on which is printed (or otherwise inscribed) a complex symbol or "label" or "bar code" of a high density two-dimensional symbology. The bar code contains component symbols or "codewords" which are placed in row and column formation, with a variable number of codewords per row, and a variable number of rows. The symbology utilizes implicit bar code encoding scheme for implicit encoding the number of rows and the number of columns of codewords, as well as a predetermined amount of error correction. The symbology is capable of supporting a fixed number of bar code variants, with each variant having a predetermined number of rows and columns of codewords, and a predetermined error correction capability. For some codewords the implicit encoding scheme is combined with a gray coding scheme to reduce the inter-row codeword crosstalk. Systems are used for printing and decoding the bar codes of the invented symbology in applications where improved storage density and tight real estate requirements are of utmost importance. A memory may be used in conjunction with a scanner and a suitable control system in a number of applications, e.g., robotics operations or automated object searching.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick Schuessler
- 👤 Kevin Hunter
- 👤 Sundeep Kumar
- 👤 Cary Chu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06037
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A two-dimensional machine readable bar code label located on a product, said label encoded with a set of information using a symbology having one of a plurality of predefined variants, each of said plurality of predefined version variants having a predetermined number of rows and columns of codewords, and a predetermined amount error correction, said label comprising: (a) a plurality of data codewords for encoding said set of information; and (b) a plurality of row codewords spacially related to the plurality of data codewords for implicit encoding a one of the predefined variants, wherein said set of information includes a set of product information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A two-dimensional machine readable bar code label located on a product, said label encoded with a set of information using a symbology having one of a plurality of predefined variants, each of said plurality of predefined version variants having a predetermined number of rows and columns of codewords, and a predetermined amount error correction, said label comprising: (a) a plurality of data codewords for encoding said set of information; and (b) a plurality of row codewords spacially related to the plurality of data codewords for implicit encoding a one of the predefined variants, wherein said set of information includes a set of product information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The two-dimensional machine readable bar code label of claim 1, wherein said product is an integrated circuit (IC) and said product information is an IC information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The two-dimensional machine readable bar code label of claim 1, wherein said product is a pharmaceutical product and said set of information further includes a patient-specific information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
A two-dimensional machine readable bar code label located on a document, said label encoded with a set of information using a symbology having one of a plurality of predefined variants, each of said plurality of predefined version variants having a predetermined number of rows and columns of codewords, and a predetermined amount error correction, said label comprising: (a) a plurality of data codewords for encoding said set of information; and (b) a plurality of row codewords spacially related to the plurality of data codewords for implicit encoding a one of the predefined variants, wherein said set of information includes an individual-specific information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
A two-dimensional machine readable bar code label located on a document, said label encoded with a set of information using a symbology having one of a plurality of predefined variants, each of said plurality of predefined version variants having a predetermined number of rows and columns of codewords, and a predetermined amount error correction, said label comprising: (a) a plurality of data codewords for encoding said set of information; and (b) a plurality of row codewords spacially related to the plurality of data codewords for implicit encoding a one of the predefined variants, wherein said set of information includes an individual-specific information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The two-dimensional machine readable bar code label of claim 4, wherein said document is a medical patient record and said set of information includes a patient information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
A two-dimensional machine readable bar code label located on a card, said label encoded with a set of information using a symbology having one of a plurality of predefined variants, each of said plurality of predefined version variants having a predetermined number of rows and columns of codewords, and a predetermined amount error correction, said label comprising: (a) a plurality of data codewords for encoding said set of information; and (b) a plurality of row codewords spacially related to the plurality of data codewords for implicit encoding a one of the predefined variants, wherein said set of information includes a card information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
A two-dimensional machine readable bar code label located on a card, said label encoded with a set of information using a symbology having one of a plurality of predefined variants, each of said plurality of predefined version variants having a predetermined number of rows and columns of codewords, and a predetermined amount error correction, said label comprising: (a) a plurality of data codewords for encoding said set of information; and (b) a plurality of row codewords spacially related to the plurality of data codewords for implicit encoding a one of the predefined variants, wherein said set of information includes a card information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The two-dimensional machine readable bar code label of claim 6, wherein said card is an identification card and said card information is a card owner identification information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The two-dimensional machine readable bar code label of claim 6, wherein said card is a credit card and said set of information includes a credit card specific information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The two-dimensional machine readable bar code label of claim 6, wherein said label is buried in an image and said card information is a card owner identification information.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4360798A
Cited
US4251798A
Cited
US4387297A
Cited
US4387297B1
Cited
US4369361A
Cited
US4409470A
Cited
US4460120A
Cited
US4760248A
Cited
US4910725A
Cited
US4857716A
Cited
US4794239A
Cited
US5381487A
Cited
US5504322A
Cited
US5304786A
Cited
US5337361A
Cited
US5243655A
Cited
US5471533A
Cited
US5471533B1
Cited
US5337361C1
Cited
US5153842A
Cited
US5550363A
Cited
US5304787A
Cited
US5567927A
Cited
US5576528A
Cited
US5811787A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-04-11 | 2003-10-11 | 2004-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-11 | 2007-10-11 | 2008-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-11 | 2011-10-11 | 2012-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |