System and method for generating a combined bar code image

• US 20050109846A1
• Filed: 08/20/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Barcode Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Barcode Corporation
• Inventors: Lubow, Allen
• Granted Patent: US 7,207,491 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.10
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes

Abstract

A system and method is provided that includes generating a combined bar code symbol and image that is readable by a bar code scanner device. The system comprises a computer program that provides an image and a bar code symbol and combines the bar code symbol with the image such that the bar code symbol is readable by the bar code scanner device. The system processes the image and bar code symbol by comparing the properties corresponding to the image, the bar code symbol (e.g., color values), and properties corresponding to the bar code scanner sensitivity values associated with the bar code scanner device. The processed bar code symbol that is combined with the processed image is readable by the bar code scanner device.

Claims

1. A method of providing a composite, image comprising a bar code symbol and an other image, comprising:

analyzing operation of an optical scanning device at least with respect to at least one optical property of the bar code symbol and the other image; and

combining the bar code symbol and the other image into the composite image in consideration of the analyzing of the operation of the optical scanning device such that the bar code symbol can be machine read by the optical scanning device and the other image can be optically discerned by a human.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the analyzing of the operation of the optical scanning device comprises analyzing color sensitivity of the optical scanning device with respect to at least one color;

and wherein combining the bar code symbol and the other image comprises selecting a color or colors of the bar code symbol and the other image such that the bar code symbol can be machine read by the optical scanning device and the other image can be optically discerned by a human.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein analyzing of the operation of the optical scanning device comprises analyzing contrast sensitivity of the optical scanning device;

and wherein combining the bar code symbol and the other image comprises selecting a contrast between elements of the bar code symbol and between elements of the bar code symbol and other image such that the bar code symbol can be machine read by the optical scanning device and the other image can be optically discerned by a human.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein analyzing of the operation of the optical scanning device comprises analyzing sensitivity of the optical scanning device to relative sizing and position of the bar code symbol and the other image;

and wherein combining the bar code symbol and the other image comprises selecting relative sizing and positioning of the bar code symbol and the other image such that the bar code symbol can be machine read by the optical scanning device and the other image can be discerned by a human.

5. A method of generating a composite image comprising an other image and a bar code symbol having a plurality of bars and a background region that is readable by a bar code scanner device, the method comprising:

processing color values associated with the other image and the bar code symbol, and bar code scanner sensitivity values associated with the bar code scanner device; and

combining the bar code symbol with the other image;

wherein the bar code symbol having the processed color values that is combined with the other image having the processed color values is readable by the bar code scanner device.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of bars and background region are scanable by the bar code scanner device.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the other image is associated with a product, the product comprising at least one of the group consisting of a goods and a service.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the other image comprises at least one of the group consisting of a corporate logo, a product brand, and a promotional advertising message.

9. The method according to claim 5, further comprising adjusting the dimensions of the other image such that the other image fits within an optionally specified region associated with the bar code symbol.

10. The method according to claim 5, wherein the other image comprises a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels each having a red, a green, and a blue color value, and wherein processing the other image comprises comparing the red, green, and blue color value of each of the plurality of pixels with the bar code scanner sensitivity values.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein a root-mean-square value for each of the plurality of pixels is evaluated for determining an occurrence of readability problems associated with the bar code scanner device.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the processing comprises generating the manipulation of color values for each of the plurality of pixels, the red, green, and blue color value for each of the plurality of pixels manipulated such that each pixel color does not interfere with the readability of the bar code symbol by the bar code scanner.

13. The method according to claim 5, wherein processing the color values of the other image includes converting the other image to a grey tone image by varying saturation values between values of about 0-40%.

14. The method according to claim 5, wherein processing the color values of the other image includes processing the other image to have at least a 50% color contrast relative to the plurality of bars associated with the bar code symbol.

15. The method according to claim 5, wherein processing the color values of the other image comprises adding a white color component to at least a portion of the other image so that the color contrast of the portion of the image is at least 50% relative to the plurality of bars associated with the bar code symbol.

16. The method according to claim 5, wherein the other image comprises a plurality of images that are arranged in a substantially tiled pattern.

17. The method according to claim 5, wherein the combined bar code symbol and other image comprises a variable resolution.

18. The method according to claim 5, wherein the color values of the other image are selectably converted to yellow or red.

19. The method according to claim 5, wherein the other image and the bar code symbol are loaded from a storage medium as a source file.

20. The method according to claim 5, wherein the other image is accessible by creating a customized image.

21. The method according to claim 5, wherein the combined bar code symbol and other image is saved as at least one of the group consisting of a TIFF, a JPEG, a GIF, an EPS, and a PDF graphic file format.

22. The method according to claim 5, wherein the combined bar code symbol and other image is evaluated by a bar code verifier for generating a grade associated with the readability of the combined bar code symbol and other image.

23. The method according to claim 5, wherein combining the bar code symbol and the other image comprises superimposing the bar code symbol onto the other image.

24. The method according to claim 5, wherein combining the bar code symbol and the other image comprises superimposing the other image onto the bar code symbol.

25. A method of providing a user with an opportunity to purchase a combined bar code symbol and image, wherein the combined bar code symbol and image are readable by a bar code scanner device, the method comprising:

receiving an other image;

receiving a bar code symbol having a plurality of bars and a background region;

processing color values associated with the other image, the bar code symbol, and bar code scanner sensitivity values associated with the bar code scanner device;

combining the plurality of bars and the background region associated with the bar code symbol with the other image;

wherein the bar code symbol having the processed color values that is combined with the other image having the processed color values is readable by the bar code scanner device; and

providing a license purchasing screen for prompting the user to purchase a license associated with the combined bar code symbol and other image upon selection confirmation by the user.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein selection confirmation includes saving the combined bar code symbol and other image on a storage medium.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein selection confirmation includes a print command for printing the combined bar code symbol and other image onto a substrate.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the substrate includes a printable surface upon which the combined bar code symbol and other image is applied.

29. The method according to claim 25, wherein prompting the user to purchase a license associated with the combined bar code symbol and other image comprises entering purchasing related data into the license purchasing screen.

30. A method of authenticating a product, the method comprising:

receiving a combined bar code symbol comprising a bar code symbol having information associated with the bar code and an image having information associated with the image; and

comparing the information associated with the image with the information associated with the bar code symbol for authenticating that the bar code symbol corresponds to the image.

31. A method of marketing a product comprising:

receiving a bar code symbol that corresponds to a business entity, the bar code symbol having an image associated with the product, wherein the bar code symbol is combined with the image such that color characteristics associated with the image do not interfere with the readability of the bar code symbol; and

applying the bar code symbol and image to a product package of the business entity, wherein the image conveys promotional information that is related to the product.

32. The method according to claim 31, further comprising generating a fee for displaying the image associated with the product on the product package of the business entity.

33. The method according to claim 31, wherein the product comprises at least one of the group consisting of goods and a service.

34. A method of generating a composite image that is readable by a bar code scanner device, the method comprising:

receiving an image comprising a first and a second region;

receiving a bar code symbol having a bar pattern and a space pattern;

processing color values associated with the first region and the bar pattern;

processing color values associated with the second region and the bar pattern;

combining the first region with the bar pattern, wherein the bar pattern having the processed color values that is combined with the first region having the processed color values is readable by the bar code scanner device; and

combining the second region with the space pattern, wherein the second region having the processed color values that is combined with the space pattern having the processed color values is unreadable by the bar code scanner device.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein combining the first region with the bar pattern comprises superimposing the first region of the image onto the bar pattern.

36. The method according to claim 34, wherein combining the first region with the bar pattern comprises incorporating the first region within the bar pattern.

37. The method according to claim 34, wherein combining the second region with the space pattern comprises superimposing the first region of the image onto the bar and space pattern and removing areas of the first region that overlap with the bar regions.

38. The method according to claim 34, wherein combining the second region with the space pattern comprises superimposing the bar and space pattern onto the second image such that the second region appears within the space pattern.

39. A method of generating a composite image scanable by a bar code scanner device, the method comprising:

receiving a bar code symbol having a bar pattern and a space pattern;

receiving an other image;

processing dimension values associated with the other image and the bar code symbol such that the image is dimensionally proportional to the bar code symbol;

combining the other image and the bar code symbol; and

manipulating the color characteristics of the other image such that the interference of the image with the readability of the bar code symbol by the bar code scanner device is minimized.

40. The method according to claim 39, further comprising converting the combined other image and bar code symbol into a graphic format, the graphic format comprising at least one of the group consisting of a TIFF, a JPEG, a GIF, an EPS, and a PDF graphic file format.

41. The method according to claim 39, wherein the color characteristics comprise color, true, and saturation levels associated with the other image.

42. A method of generating an authenticated composite image that is readable by a bar code scanner device, the method comprising:

receiving a bar code symbol having a bar and space pattern;

receiving an image comprising a reversed bar and space pattern; and

combining the bar and space pattern associated with the bar code symbol with the reversed bar and space pattern associated with the image, wherein the reversed bar and space pattern provide an integrity check for the bar code symbol that allows a visual determination of at least one of the group consisting of at least one missing bar and at least one missing space.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the reversed bar and space pattern includes a color that does not interfere with the readability of the bar code scanner device.

44. A method of generating a composite image scanable by a bar code scanner device, the method comprising:

receiving a bar code symbol having a bar pattern and a space pattern;

receiving an other image;

processing dimension values associated with the other image and the bar code symbol such that the other image is dimensionally proportional to the bar code symbol;

combining the other image and the bar code symbol; and

processing the color characteristics of the other image based on color sensitivity values associated with the bar code scanner device, wherein manipulating the color characteristics of the other image comprises representing the image as a plurality of pixels each of which is represented by a red, a green, and a blue color value, and wherein the red, green, and blue color value of each of the plurality of pixels associated with the other image are processed in consideration of the bar code scanner sensitivity values such that the bar code symbol is machine readable by the bar code scanner device and the other image can be optically discerned by a human.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the other image is associated with a product.

46. A method of generating a composite image scanable by a bar code scanner device, the method comprising:

receiving a bar code symbol having a bar pattern and a space pattern;

receiving an other image;

processing dimension values associated with the other image and the bar code symbol such that the other image is dimensionally proportional to the bar code symbol;

combining the other image and the bar code symbol; and

processing the color characteristics of the other image based on color sensitivity values associated with the bar code scanner device, wherein manipulating the color characteristics of the other image comprises representing the image as a plurality of pixels each of which is represented by a cyan, a magenta, a yellow, and black color value, and wherein the cyan, the magenta, the yellow, and the black color value of each of the plurality of pixels associated with the other image are processed in consideration of the bar code scanner sensitivity values such that the bar code symbol is machine readable by the bar code scanner device and the other image can be optically discerned by a human.

47. The method according to claim 46, wherein the other image is associated with a product.

48. A method implemented by a computer of generating a composite image scanable by a bar code scanner device, the method comprising:

receiving at the computer a bar code symbol having a bar pattern and a space pattern;

receiving at the computer an other image;

processing at the computer dimension values associated with the other image and the bar code symbol such that the other image is dimensionally proportional to the bar code symbol;

combining at the computer the other image and the bar code symbol; and

processing at the computer the color characteristics of the other image based on color sensitivity values associated with the bar code scanner device, wherein manipulating the color characteristics of the other image comprises representing the image as a plurality of pixels each of which is represented by a red, a green, and a blue color value, and wherein the red, green, and blue color value of each of the plurality of pixels associated with the other image are processed in consideration of the bar code scanner sensitivity values such that the bar code symbol is machine readable by the bar code scanner device and the other image can be optically discerned by a human.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein the other image is associated with a product.

50. A method implemented by a computer of generating a composite image scanable by a bar code scanner device, the method comprising:

receiving at the computer a bar code symbol having a bar pattern and a space pattern;

receiving at the computer an other image;

processing at the computer dimension values associated with the other image and the bar code symbol such that the other image is dimensionally proportional to the bar code symbol;

combining at the computer the other image and the bar code symbol; and

processing at the computer the color characteristics of the other image based on color sensitivity values associated with the bar code scanner device, wherein manipulating the color characteristics of the other image comprises representing the image as a plurality of pixels each of which is represented by a cyan, a magenta, a yellow, and black color value, and wherein the cyan, the magenta, the yellow, and the black color value of each of the plurality of pixels associated with the other image are processed in consideration of the bar code scanner sensitivity values such that the bar code symbol is machine readable by the bar code scanner device and the other image can be optically discerned by a human.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein the other image is associated with a product.

52. A method implemented by a computer of providing a user with an opportunity to purchase a combined bar code symbol and image using a computer program, wherein the combined bar code symbol and image are readable by a bar code scanner device, the method comprising:

receiving at the computer an other image;

receiving at the computer a bar code symbol having a plurality of bars and a background region;

processing at the computer color values associated with the other image, the bar code symbol, and bar code scanner sensitivity values associated with the bar code scanner device;

combining at the computer the plurality of bars and the background region associated with the bar code symbol with the other image;

wherein the bar code having the processed color values that is combined with the other image having the processed color values is readable by the bar code scanner device; and

providing at the computer a license purchasing screen for prompting the user to purchase a license associated with the combined bar code symbol and other image upon selection confirmation by the user.

53. A method of generating a composite image comprising a bar code symbol and an other image, the bar code symbol having a plurality of bar regions and space regions, the composite image scanable by a bar code scanner device, the method comprising:

processing the visual characteristic of the other image such that the other image comprises a translucent characteristic; and

combining the other image having the translucent characteristic with the bar code symbol, wherein the other image having the translucent characteristic that is combined with the bar code symbol is readable by the bar code scanner device.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein processing the visual characteristic of the other image comprises analyzing the translucent characteristic of the other image.

55. The method according to claim 53, wherein processing the visual characteristic of the other image comprises analyzing and manipulating the translucent characteristics of the other image.

56. The method according to claim 53, wherein processing the visual characteristic of the other image comprises analyzing and manipulating the translucent characteristic and color characteristics of the other image.

57. A method implemented by a computer of generating a composite image comprising a bar code symbol and an other image, the bar code symbol having a plurality of bar regions and space regions, the composite image scanable by a bar code scanner device, the method comprising:

processing at the computer the visual characteristic of the other image such that the other image comprises a translucent characteristic; and

combining at the computer the other image having the translucent characteristic with the bar code symbol, wherein the other image having the translucent characteristic that is combined with the bar code symbol is readable by the bar code scanner device.

58. The method according to claim 57, wherein processing the visual characteristic of the other image comprises analyzing the translucent characteristic of the other image.

59. The method according to claim 57, wherein processing the visual characteristic of the other image comprises analyzing and manipulating the translucent characteristics of the other image.

60. The method according to claim 57, wherein processing the visual characteristic of the other image comprises analyzing and manipulating the translucent characteristic and color characteristics of the other image.

61. A computer system for generating a composite image comprising an other image and a bar code symbol having a plurality of bars and a background region that is readable by a bar code scanner device, the computer system comprising:

a means for processing color values associated with the other image and the bar code symbol, and bar code scanner sensitivity values associated with the bar code scanner device; and

a means for combining the bar code symbol with the other image;

wherein the bar code symbol having the processed color values that is combined with the other image having the processed color values is readable by the bar code scanner device.

62. A composite image comprising:

a bar code symbol; and

an other image combined with the bar code symbol, wherein the other image does not interfere with the readability of the bar code symbol.

63. The bar code symbol according to claim 62, wherein the other image comprises at least one of the group consisting of a corporate logo, a brand, a text message, and a service symbol.

64. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code, when executed, causing a computer to implement a method for providing at least one user with access to a plurality of computer resources, at least some of which utilize distinct protocols for receiving security information and for providing access to outside systems based on received security information, the method comprising:

processing color values associated with an image and a bar code symbol, and bar code scanner sensitivity values associated with the bar code scanner device, the bar code symbol having a plurality of bars and a background region; and

combining the bar code symbol with the other image;

wherein the bar code symbol having the processed color values that is combined with the other image having the processed color values is readable by the bar code scanner device.