SURFACE BEARING CODED DATA

• US 20110226862A1
• Filed: 05/30/2011
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Application Number:
  US13/118,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20110226862A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/494
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding

Abstract

A surface bearing machine-readable coded data is provided. The coded data is arranged in accordance with a layout having n-fold rotational symmetry about a center of rotation, where n is at least two, and having mirror symmetry. The layout has n identical first sub-layouts rotated 1/n revolutions apart about the center of rotation, and n identical second sub-layouts rotated 1/n revolutions apart about the center of rotation. Each second sub-layout is a reflection of a corresponding first sub-layout. The sub-layout(s) has rotation-indicating data that distinguishes that sub-layout from another sub-layout(s), and reflection-indicating data that distinguishes the reflection of that sub-layout from the reflection of a corresponding reflected sub-layout.

Claims

1. A surface bearing machine-readable coded data, the coded data being arranged in accordance with at least one layout having n-fold rotational symmetry about a center of rotation, where n is at least two, and having mirror symmetry, the layout comprising:

n identical first sub-layouts rotated 1/n revolutions apart about the center of rotation; and

n identical second sub-layouts rotated 1/n revolutions apart about the center of rotation, each second sub-layout being a reflection of a corresponding one of the first sub-layouts, at least one sub-layout comprising;

rotation-indicating data that distinguishes that sub-layout from at least one other sub-layout; and

reflection-indicating data that distinguishes the reflection of that sub-layout from the reflection of a corresponding reflected sub-layout.

2. A surface according to claim 1, wherein the coded data is substantially invisible to the unaided human eye.

3. A surface according to claim 1, further comprising visible markings.

4. A surface according to claim 1, being configured as an interface surface for enabling user interaction with a computer.

5. A surface according to claim 1, further comprising at least one region, wherein the coded data represents an identity of the at least one region.