US3637993A

US3637993A - Transition code recognition system

Info

Publication number: US3637993A
Application number: US837514A
Authority: US
Inventors: John B Christie; Dzintars Abuls; Wilfridus G Van Breukelen
Original assignee: NCR Corp
Current assignee: NCR Voyix Corp; National Cash Register Co
Priority date: 1969-06-30
Filing date: 1969-06-30
Publication date: 1972-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-25
Also published as: FR2048052B1; NO128242B; AT298849B; FR2048052A1; BR7020042D0; GB1257142A; CA961161A; NL7009038A; CH526172A; DE2032240C3; BE752719A; ZA703883B; DE2032240A1; JPS5027693B1; SE358492B; DE2032240B2

Abstract

An electronic identification system for obtaining information from data-encoded labels in which a plurality of contiguous colored bars are printed on the data-encoded labels, each colored bar being of a color different from the color of its neighboring colored bars, is disclosed. The data-encoded label is scanned by a probe which images a spot of light on the label and which receives, from the label, reflected light signals that are supplied to the identification system. The identification system is constructed to receive and to decode a predetermined number of data bits according to a ''''size code'''' that is contained on the label, to perform a parity check of the data bits that are encoded on the label, and to transmit the decoded data to a data utilization device regardless of whether the probe traversed the label in a forward direction or in a reverse direction.

Description

United States Patent Christie et a].

TRANSITION CODE RECOGNITION SYSTEM Inventors: John B, Christie; Dzintars Abuls, both of Kettering; Wilfridus G. Van Breukelen, Centerville, all of Ohio The National Cash Register Company, Dayton, Ohio Filed: June 30, 1969 Appl. No.: 837,514

Assignee:

US. Cl. ..235/61.l1 E, 250/219 Q Int.Cl ....G06k 7/10, GOln 21/30 Field ofSearch ..235/6l.11,6l.ll E;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1959 Orthuber ...,235/61.6 8/1964 Brainerd ..235/6l.l1

Jan. 25, 1972 Stites et a1. ..235/61.ll Stites et al. ..235/6l.ll

Primary Examiner Daryl W. Cook Atlorney-Louis A. Kline, John J. Callahan and Harry W. Barron [57] ABSTRACT An electronic identification system for obtaining information from data-encoded labels in which a plurality of contiguous colored bars are printed on the data-encoded labels, each colored bar being of a color different from the color of its neighboring colored bars, is disclosed. The data-encoded label is scanned by a probe which images a spot oflight on the label and which receives, from the label, reflected light signals that are supplied to the identification system. The identification system is constructed to receive and to decode a predetermined number of data bits according to a size code" that is contained on the label, to perform a parity check of the data bits that are encoded on the label, and to transmit the decoded data to a data utilization device regardless of whether the probe traversed the label in a forward direction or in a reverse direction.

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Claims

1. An identification system comprising: a. a data-encoded medium that comprises a plurality of data indicia wherein each data indicium is selected from a group of three or more data indicia, and each data indicium is different from its neighboring data indicia, and b. means to sense data indicia in pairs as a transition of the sensing means across a first data indicium of the pair to a second data indicium of the pair occurs, and c. means coupled to the sensing means that is constructed to remember the first data indicium of the pair until the second data indicium of the pair is sensed, and to generate a signal that is representative of the associated binary bit based on the particular first and the second data indicia which were sensed.

2. An identification and validation system comprising: a. a data-encoded medium that includes a plurality of data indicia wherein each data indicium is selected from a group of three or more data indicia, and each data indicium is different from its neighboring data indicia, b. means to sense data indicia in pairs as a transition of the sensing means across a first data indicium of the pair to a second data indicium of the pair occurs, and c. means coupled to the sensing means that is constructed to remember the first data indicium of the pair until the second data indicium of the pair is sensed, and to generate a signal that is representative of an associated binary bit based on the particular first and second data indicia which were sensed, wherein a first group of size code binary bits are sensed first, the value of the fIrst group of size code bits being representative of the number of data binary bits that are encoded on the medium, the data bits are sensed second, and a second group of size code binary bits are sensed third, the recorded values of the first and second groups of size code bits on the data-encoded medium being equal, said system further including: d. memory means coupled to receive the bits that are sensed from a data-encoded medium that is constructed to store all of the binary bits sensed from the medium, and e. means constructed to produce an end-of-medium signal after the last recorded binary bit of the medium has been sensed by the sensing means, and f. validation means coupled to the memory means and to the end-of-medium signal producing means that is constructed to signify that a properly encoded medium has been correctly sensed when the end-of-medium signal is produced and the first and second groups of size code bits that are stored in the memory means are equal. 3. A validation system for an identification system as in claim 2 wherein: a. a first parity bit and a second parity bit are sensed from the encoded medium and are stored in the memory means, and b. means are coupled to the memory means and to the validation means that are constructed to couple a parity check signal to the validation means when the first and second parity bits and the data bits that are stored in the memory means correspond to a predetermined parity standard, the validation means being constructed so that it will not signify that a properly encoded medium has been correctly sensed until the parity check signal is generated.

2. means to guide reflected light signal from the medium, and

2. means constructed to remember the signal that is associated with a first color bar until a signal that is associated with a second colored bar is produced, and to generate a signal that is representative of the associated binary bit based upon the particular first and second colored bars which were sensed.

3. signal-splitting means which are coupled to receive the reflected signals that are guided from the medium by the guide means of the sensing means, the signal-splitting means being constructed to produce a first light-signal component, which is substantially reflected from both the first and the second colors of the colored bars of the medium, and a second light-signal component, which is substantially reflected from only the first color of the colored bars of the medium, neither the first nor the second light-signal components being substantially reflected from the third color of the colored bars of the medium, and f. wherein the means coupled to the sensing means includes

4. An identification system comprising: a. a data-encoded medium that includes a plurality of data indicia wherein each data indicium is selected from a group of three or more indicia, and each data indicium is different from its neighboring data indicia, b. means to sense data indicia in pairs as a transition of the sensing means across a first data indicium of the pair to a second data indicium of the pair occurs, and c. means coupled to the sensing means that is constructed to remember the first data indicium of the pair until the second data indicium of the pair is sensed, and to generate a signal that is representative of the associated binary bit based on the particular first and second data indicia which were sensed, d. wherein a portion of the sensed binary bits indicate whether the transition of the sensing means across the data indicia was in the normal forward direction or whether it was in the opposite, or reverse, direction, and e. wherein the means coupled to the sensing means is so constructed that the signal that is representative of the associated binary bit is, in addition, based on the direction of transition of the sensing means across the data indicia.

5. A validation system for an identification system as in claim 4 wherein a first group of size code binary bits are sensed first, the value of the first group of size code bits being representative of the number of data binary bits that are encoded on the medium, the data bits are sensed second, and a second group of size code binary bits are sensed third, the recorded values of the first and second groups of size code bits on the data-encoded medium being equal, comprising: a. memory means coupled to receive the bits that are sensed from a data-encoded medium that is constructed to store all of the binary bits sensed from the medium, and b. means constructed to produce an end-of-medium signal after the last recorded binary bit of the medium has been sensed by the sensing means, and c. validation means coupled to the memory means and to the end-of-medium signal producing means that is constructed to signify that a properly encoded medium has been correctly sensed when the end-of-medium signal is produced and the first and second groups of size code bits that are stored in the memory means are equal.

6. A validation System for an identification system as in claim 5 wherein: a. a first parity bit and a second parity bit are sensed from the encoded medium and are stored in the memory means, and b. means are coupled to the memory means and to the validation means that are constructed to couple a parity check signal to the validation means when the first and second parity bits and the data bits that are stored in the memory means correspond to a predetermined parity standard, the validation means being so constructed that it will not signify that a properly encoded medium has been correctly sensed until the parity check signal is generated.

7. An identification system comprising: a. a data-encoded medium that includes a plurality of data indicia wherein each data indicium is selected from a group of three of more indicia, and each data indicium is different from its neighboring data indicia, b. means to sense data indicia in pairs as a transition of the sensing means across a first data indicium of the pair to a second data indicium of the pair occurs, and c. means coupled to the sensing means that is constructed to remember the first data indicium of the pair until the second data indicium of the pair is sensed, and to generate a signal that is representative of the associated binary bit based on the particular first and second data indicia which were sensed, d. wherein the data indicia consists of a plurality of contiguous colored bars, each colored bar being of a first, a second, or a third color, and each colored bar being of a color different from the color of its neighboring colored bars, and e. the sensing means includes

8. A validation system for an identification system as in claim 7 wherein a first group of size code binary bits are sensed first, the value of the first group of size code bits being representative of the number of data binary bits that are encoded on the medium, the data bits are sensed second, and a second group of size code binary bits are sensed third, the recorded values of the first and second groups of size code bits on the data-encoded medium being equal, comprising: a. memory means coupled to receive the bits that are sensed from a data-encoded medium that is constructed to store all of the binary bits sensed from the medium, and b. means constructed to produce an end-of-medium signal after the last recorded binary bit of the medium has been sensed by the sensing means, and c. validation means coupled to the memory means and to the end-of-medium signal producing means that is constructed to signify that a properly encoded medium has beeN correctly sensed when the end-of-medium signal is produced and the first and second groups of size code bits that are stored in the memory means are equal.

9. A validation system for an identification system as in claim 8 wherein: a. a first parity bit and a second parity bit are sensed from the encoded medium and are stored in the memory means, and b. means are coupled to the memory means and to the validation means that are constructed to couple a parity check signal to the validation means when the first and second parity bits and the data bits that are stored in the memory means correspond to a predetermined parity standard, the validation means being so constructed that it will not signify that a properly encoded medium has been correctly sensed until the parity check signal is generated.

10. An identification system as in claim 7 wherein: a. a portion of the sensed binary bits indicate whether the transition of the sensing means across the data indicia was in the normal forward direction or whether it was in the opposite, or reverse, direction, and b. the means coupled to the sensing means is so constructed that the signal that is representative of the associated binary bit is, in addition, based on the direction of transition of the sensing means across the data indicia.

11. A validation system for an identification system as in claim 10 wherein a first group of size code binary bits are sensed first, the value of the first group of size code bits being representative of the number of data binary bits that are encoded on the medium, the data bits are sensed second, and a second group of size code binary bits are sensed third, the recorded values of the first and second groups of the size code bits on the data-encoded medium being equal, comprising: a. memory means coupled to receive the bits that are sensed from a data-encoded medium that is constructed to store all of the binary bits sensed from the medium, and b. means constructed to produce an end-of-medium signal after the last recorded binary bit of the medium has been sensed by the sensing means, and c. validation means coupled to the memory means and to the end-of-medium signal producing means that is constructed to signify that a properly encoded medium has been correctly sensed when the end-of-medium signal is produced and the first and second groups of size code bits that are stored in the memory means are equal.

12. A validation system for an identification system as in claim 11 wherein: a. a first parity bit and a second parity bit are sensed from the encoded medium and are stored in the memory means, and b. means are coupled to the memory means and to the validation means that are constructed to couple a parity check signal to the validation means when the first and second parity bits and the data bits that are stored in the memory means correspond to a predetermined parity standard, the validation means being so constructed that it will not signify that a properly encoded medium has been correctly sensed until the parity check signal is generated.

13. A validation system for an identification system comprising: a. means to sense data indicia that are recorded on a data-encoded medium, wherein a first group of size code binary bits are sensed first, the value of the first group of size code bits being representative of the number of data binary bits that are encoded on the medium, the data bits are sensed second, and a second group of size code binary bits are sensed third, the recorded values of the first and second groups of size code bits on the data-encoded medium being equal, and b. memory means coupled to receive the data bits that are sensed from a data-encoded medium that is constructed to store all of the binary bits sensed from the medium, and c. means constructed to produce an end-of-medium signal after the last recorded binary bit of the medium has been sensed by the sensing means, and d. validation means Coupled to the memory means and to the end-of-medium signal producing means that is constructed to signify that a properly encoded medium has been correctly sensed when the end-of-medium signal is produced and the first and second groups of size code bits that are stored in the memory means are equal.

14. A validation system as in claim 13 wherein: a. a first parity bit and a second parity bit are sensed from the encoded medium and are stored in the memory means, and b. means are coupled to the memory means and to the validation means that are constructed to couple a parity check signal to the validation means when the first and second parity bits and the data bits that are stored in the memory means correspond to a predetermined parity standard, the validation means being so constructed that it will not signify that a properly encoded medium has been correctly sensed until the parity check signal is generated.

15. An identification system comprising: a. a data-encoded medium that includes a plurality of contiguous indicia in which each individual indicium is selected from a group of three or more different indicia, each one of said indicia having a different detectable characteristic, the characteristic of each individual indicium being different from the characteristic of its neighboring indicium, a datum value being defined by each transition from each indicium to the next contiguous indicium; b. means to detect the characteristic of each indicium; and c. decoding means coupled to said detecting means to remember the characteristics of an indicium until the characteristic of the next contiguous indicium is detected and to generate an encoded signal that is representative of the associated datum values of the particular characteristic relation of each detected contiguous two indicia.

16. The invention according to claim 15 in which said indicia can be detected in either a forward direction or a reverse direction and in which said encoded signal includes at least one direction datum value indicating the direction in which said indicia are being detected, said direction datum value being one value in the event said indicia are being detected in the forward direction and another value in the event said indicia are being detected in the reverse direction.

17. The invention according to claim 16 wherein said direction datum value causes a direction signal having a value reflecting the direction datum value to be provided, said direction signal indicating the direction in which said indicia are being detected.

18. The invention according to claim 17 wherein said system includes shift register means to which said encoded signal and said direction signal are applied, one value of said direction signal causing said shift register means to shift in one direction and another value of said direction signal causing said shift register means to shift in another direction.

19. The invention according to claim 18: wherein said different characteristics of said indicia are first, second, and third different colors; wherein said datum values are binary numbers, a first binary number being generated if the contiguous indicia are detected in the order of first-to-second, second-to-third, or third-to-first colors and a second binary number being generated if the contiguous indicia are detected in the order of third-to-second, second-to-first, or first-to-third colors; and wherein one value of said direction signal causes each datum value in said encoded signal to be complemented.

20. The invention according to claim 19 wherein the first datum value generated when said indicia are detected in the forward direction results from contiguous first and subsequent second colors being detected, the last datum value generated when said indicia are detected in the forward direction results from contiguous third and subsequent first colors being detected, the first datum value generated when said indicia are detected in the reverse direCtion results from contiguous first and subsequent third colors being detected, and the last datum value generated when said indicia are detected in the reverse direction results from contiguous second and subsequent first colors being detected.

21. The invention according to claim 15: wherein the last indicium detected is detected for a time substantially greater than the time at least one other of said indicia is detected; and wherein said system further includes means to sense the time during which said last indicium is detected in relation to the time during which a selected indicium prior thereto is detected, and to generate a signal indicating that the final indicium has been detected.

22. The invention according to claim 15: wherein said encoded signal includes a plurality of data datum values and a plurality of size code datum values, said size code datum values being encoded to be representative of the number of data datum values in said encoded signal; and wherein said system further includes memory means for storing said data datum values and means for recognizing said size code datum values and for determining whether the number of stored data datum values properly corresponds to the code of said size code datum values.

23. The invention according to claim 22: wherein said indicia can be detected in a forward direction or in a reverse direction; and wherein said encoded signal has size code datum values preceding and following said data datum values, said indicia on said medium being so arranged that the size code datum values will be identical whether said indicia are detected in a forward direction or in a reverse direction.

24. The invention according to claim 23 wherein said means for recognizing said size code datum values recognizes the datum values stored in specified locations of said memory means.

25. The invention according to claim 24 wherein said specified portions of said memory locations store the datum values of the size code values following said data datum values.

26. The invention according to claim 25 wherein the code of said size code datum values preceding said data datum values is complementary in an opposite direction to the code of said size code datum values following said data datum values.

27. The invention according to claim 26 wherein the code of said size code datum values preceding said data datum is representative of the number of datum values of said data datum values.

28. The invention according to claim 15 wherein said decoding means includes means to provide an inhibit signal to inhibit the detection of any characteristic for a fixed time after a new characteristic is first detected.

29. The invention according to claim 15 wherein said inhibit signal providing means includes means to provide an indicium-detected signal when a new characteristic is first detected, means to delay said indicium-detected signal a fixed time, and means to inhibit said decoding means from detecting any characteristic for said fixed time.

30. The invention according to claim 15 wherein said encoded signal includes a plurality of data datum values and a plurality of other datum values, said other datum values including at least two datum values forming a parity code which is a function of the remaining datum values of said encoded signal.

31. The invention according to claim 30: wherein said datum values are binary digits of 1'''' or ''''0;'''' and wherein the code of said parity code represents the difference between the modulo 3 sum of the ''''1'''' binary digits of said remaining digits of said encoded signal and the modulo 3 sum of the ''''0'''' binary digits of said remaining digits of said encoded signal.

32. An identification system for detecting the binary code defined by a medium having a plurality of contiguous colored indicium thereon, the color of each of said indicia being selected from a group of at least three difFerent colors, each of said indicia being positioned contiguous to an indicium of a different color therefrom, each binary digit of said code being defined by the transition from an indicium of one color to an indicium of another color, said system comprising: optical means capable of being guided over a selected path traversing each of said indicia; detection means to detect the color of each of said indicia along said selected path and to provide a signal indicative of the color of the then traversed one of said indicia; and decoding means to which said detection means signal is applied for remembering the color indicated by the then occurring detection means signal until after the next detection means signal is provided, and to provide a binary digit as determined by the sequence of said then occurring detection means signal and said next detection means signal.

33. The invention according to claim 32: wherein said binary code is divided into consecutive first, second, and third portions, said second portion having a plurality of data binary digits included therein, each of said first and third portions including at least one direction binary digit which is indicative of the direction in which said selected path is traversed, and a plurality of binary digits which are arranged in a code to represent the number of data binary digits in said second portion, at least one of said first and third portions including a plurality of parity binary digits which are arranged in a code to cause the direction binary digit in each of said first and third portions to be equal; and wherein said identification system further includes memory means to store said binary code, logic means responsive to said plurality of size code binary digits in at least one of said first and third portions of said binary code which are stored in said memory means to determine whether the proper number of binary digits of said second portion of said binary code is being stored in said memory means, output shift register means responsive to said logic means determining that the proper number of binary digits of said second portion of said binary code are stored in said memory means for providing an output signal of a fixed sequential number of said binary bits, said output shift register means being responsive to said direction binary digit to shift in one direction for one value of said direction binary digit and to shift in another direction for the other value of said direction binary digit.

34. A record member for storing data in combination with means for reading said data comprising: a record member having a plurality of at least three different indicia means with each one of said indicia means having detectable characteristics associated therewith, said indicia means being assigned to predetermined pair groupings so that each of said pair groupings contains two different indicia means, some of said pair groupings being assigned to a first group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the first group in a reading direction is indicative of a first datum, the remainder of said pair groupings being assigned to a second group so that a transition from the first to the second indicia means of any pair grouping in the second group in said reading direction is indicative of a second datum, said indicia means being selected from said pair groupings and arranged on said record medium in a predetermined reading order in a single track to provide said transitions corresponding to said first and second datum, each one of said indicia means being arranged on said record member in said predetermined reading order so that the next one of said indicia means in the direction of said reading order is always different from said one indicia means, each of said indicia means being capable of occurring at irregular intervals in said reading order; detecting means for providing a signal indicative of the characteristic of the then detected inDicia means; and logic means, responsive to said detecting means signal, for providing a data signal indicative of the successive characteristic transition between each pair of indicia means.

35. The invention according to claim 34 wherein each of said indicia means is in the shape of a bar and said detectable characteristic of each bar is the color thereof.

36. The invention according to claim 35 wherein each bar is one of three colors, a transition from a bar of a first color to a bar of a second color, from a bar of said second color to a bar of said third color, and from a bar of said third color to a bar of said first color being indicative of the binary digit ''''1,'''' and a transition from a bar of said third color to a bar of said second color, from a bar of said second color to a bar of said first color, and from a bar of said first color to a bar of said third color being indicative of the binary digit ''''0.''''

37. The invention according to claim 36 wherein one of said three colors is the background color of said record member having said color bars thereon.