UPC encodation verifier

• US 3,961,164 A
• Filed: 09/13/1974
• Issued: 06/01/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Westvaco Corporation (Meadwestvaco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Westvaco Corporation (Meadwestvaco Corporation)
• Inventors: Reed, George T., Seidler-Gordon, Laura
• Primary Examiner(s): Cook, Daryl W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kilgore, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US05/505,906
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 235/61.12 R, 235/61.12 N, 235/61.11 D, 235/61.11 E, 250/568, 250/569, 250/570, 33/1, 33/1 B, 33/1 C, 33/1 BB, 33/174 R, 33/174 B, 33/174 G, 33/174 K, 35/48 B, 35/2
• US Class Current: 235/437
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 5/04 Verifying the alignment of markings

Abstract

A method and the means for practicing the method is disclosed for verifying the encodation accuracy of a Universal Product Code master symbol that is to be printed on a consumer product carton or the like. The means for practicing the method consists of an Encodation Verifier which is preferably printed on a piece of film or glass and which includes 113 numbered light spaces and dark bars which represent the total modules of the code symbol, and an Encodation Worksheet form on which information obtained form comparing the Encodation Verifier with the symbol to be verified, is entered. Thus, the method for verifying the symbol encodation comprises a graphic comparison of the Encodation Verifier with the symbol to be verified. The method is preferably practiced visually under low power magnification but could be done mechanically with an optical device such as a reader/printer machine.

Claims

1. A method for verifying the accuracy of an encoded linear bar code symbol comprising in combination a template and an encodation worksheet, said template comprising a substantially rigid and transparent planar sheet having an image printed thereon, said image consisting of a plurality of equally spaced dark bars and intervening light spaces corresponding to the modules of a linear bar code symbol, said encodation worksheet comprising a printed sheet including a character chart of the module representation of the numeric equivalents of a linear bar code symbol, a formula for determining the check character of said bar code symbol and a bar chart consisting of two columns divided into equally sized spaces corresponding to the modules of said bar code symbol, said columns comprising a chart column and a verifier column, said method comprising the steps:

a. translating the numeric equivalent of an encoded linear bar code symbol into its graphic representation with the aid of the character chart on said encodation worksheet;

b. entering the graphic representation of the translation made in step (a) in the chart column of the bar chart on said encodation worksheet;

c. orienting the template in superimposed relation to said encoded linear bar code symbol and comparing the image on said template with the modules of said bar code symbol;

d. entering the graphic representation of the comparison made in step (c) in the verifier column of the bar chart on said encodation worksheet; and

,

e. correlating the graphic representations of the encoded bar code symbol as entered in the chart and verifier columns of said encodation worksheet in order to verify the accuracy of said encoded symbol.