Finder pattern for optically encoded machine readable symbols
First Claim
1. An optically encoded label, including an improved finder pattern, comprising:
- a two dimensional data array of optically encoded data cells arranged in a predetermined geometric data array pattern; and
a plurality of spots, whereinsaid plurality of spots is arranged in a two dimensional array having a predetermined geometric pattern with a known predetermined relationship to said predetermined geometric data array pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optically encoded information bearing label containing a two dimensional array of data cells includes a finder pattern comprising a plurality of spots arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern substantially analogous to the predetermined geometric pattern of said two dimensional array of data cells. The finder pattern is detected by first scanning the image area to detect spots. The locations of detected spots are compared to the known geometry of the finder pattern in order to provide for rapid and reliable finding of the finder pattern and the information bearing label. Additionally, the detected finder pattern spots provide information for decoding the two dimensional data array in order to compensate for label magnification, tilt and other distortions.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. An optically encoded label, including an improved finder pattern, comprising:
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a two dimensional data array of optically encoded data cells arranged in a predetermined geometric data array pattern; and a plurality of spots, wherein said plurality of spots is arranged in a two dimensional array having a predetermined geometric pattern with a known predetermined relationship to said predetermined geometric data array pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In an optically encoded label containing a two dimensional array of data cells arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern, an improved finder pattern further comprising:
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a plurality of spots, wherein said plurality of spots is arranged in a two dimensional array having a predetermined geometric pattern with a known predetermined relationship to said predetermined geometric pattern of said plurality of said data cells.
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9. In a system for reading an optically encoded label having a finder pattern comprising a plurality of spots, wherein said plurality of spots is arranged in a two dimensional array having a predetermined geometric pattern, a method for detecting the location of said optically encoded label comprising:
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capturing a two dimensional image for storage in a memory, said stored two dimensional image containing an image of said optically encoded label anywhere within the field of view of said stored two dimensional image; examining said stored two dimensional image to detect said plurality of spots; and matching said detected plurality of spots to said predetermined geometric pattern. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. In a system for reading an optically encoded label containing a two dimensional array of data cells arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern, a method for reading said optically encoded label data comprising:
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capturing a two dimensional image for storage in a memory, said stored two dimensional image containing an image of said optically encoded label anywhere within the field of view of said stored two dimensional image; constructing a cell center sampling pattern having a plurality of points arranged in a geometric pattern with a known predetermined relationship to said predetermined geometric pattern of said two dimensional array of data cells; positioning said cell center sampling pattern over said two dimensional array of data cells at a first position; repositioning said cell center sampling pattern over said two dimensional array of data cells at a second position substantially adjacent to said first position; selecting an optimal position from said first and second positions of said cell center sampling pattern by optimizing a function of image pixels corresponding to said plurality of points, so that said plurality of points of said cell center sampling pattern substantially corresponds to the approximate centers of said data cells, respectively; and reading out the optical values of said data cells respectively corresponding to said respective plurality of points of said optimal position of said cell center sampling pattern. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. In a system for reading an optically encoded label containing a two dimensional array of data cells arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern, a method for reading said optically encoded label data comprising:
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capturing a two dimensional image for storage in a memory, said stored two dimensional image containing an image of said optically encoded label anywhere within the field of view of said stored two dimensional image; constructing a cell center sampling pattern having a plurality of points arranged in a geometric pattern with a known predetermined relationship to the predetermined geometric pattern of said two dimensional array of data cells; positioning said cell center sampling pattern over said two dimensional array of data cells so that said plurality of points of said cell center sampling pattern substantially corresponds to the approximate centers of said data cells; moving said cell center sampling pattern a distance to an adjacent point, said distance moved substantially corresponding to the width of a data cell of said optically encoded label; repositioning said moved cell center sampling pattern of said two dimensional array of data cells so that said plurality of points of said moved cell center sampling pattern substantially corresponds to the approximate centers of said data cells, respectively; averaging the respective coordinates of the points of said positioned and repositioned cell center sampling pattern to provide a plurality of averaged data cell centers; and reading out the optical values of said data cells using said respective averaged coordinates of said data cell centers. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. In a system for reading an optically encoded label having a finder pattern comprising a plurality of spots, wherein said plurality of spots is arranged in a two dimensional array having a predetermined geometric pattern, an apparatus for detecting the location of said optically encoded label comprising:
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means for capturing a two dimensional image for storage in a memory, said stored two dimensional image containing an image of said optically encoded label anywhere within the field of view of said stored two dimensional image; means for examining said stored two dimensional image to detect said plurality of spots; and means for matching said detected plurality of spots to said predetermined geometric pattern. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. In a system for reading an optically encoded label containing a two dimensional array of data cells arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern, an apparatus for reading said optically encoded label data comprising:
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means for capturing a two dimensional image for storage in a memory, said stored two dimensional image containing an image of said optically encoded label anywhere within the field of view of said stored two dimensional image; means for constructing a cell center sampling pattern having a plurality of points arranged in a geometric pattern with a known predetermined relationship to said predetermined geometric pattern of said two dimensional array of data cells; means for positioning said cell center sampling pattern over said two dimensional array of data cells at a first position; repositioning said cell center sampling pattern over said two dimensional array of data cells at a second position substantially adjacent to said first position; selecting an optimal position from said first and second positions of said cell center sampling pattern by optimizing a function of image pixels corresponding to said plurality of points, so that said plurality of points of said cell center sampling pattern substantially corresponds to the approximate centers of said data cells, respectively; and means for reading out the optical values of said data cells respectively corresponding to said respective plurality of points of said optimal position of said cell center sampling pattern. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. In a system for reading an optically encoded label containing a two dimensional array of data cells arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern, an apparatus for reading said optically encoded label data comprising:
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means for capturing a two dimensional image for storage in a memory, said stored two dimensional image containing an image of said optically encoded label anywhere within the field of view of said stored two dimensional image; means for constructing a cell center sampling pattern having a plurality of points arranged in a geometric pattern with a known predetermined relationship to the predetermined geometric pattern of said two dimensional array of data cells; means for positioning said cell center sampling pattern over said two dimensional array of data cells so that said plurality of points of said cell center sampling pattern substantially corresponds to the approximate centers of said data cells; means for moving said cell center sampling pattern a distance to an adjacent point, said distance moved substantially corresponding to the width of a data cell of said optically encoded label; means for repositioning said moved cell center sampling pattern of said two dimensional array of data cells so that said plurality of points of said moved cell center sampling pattern substantially corresponds to the approximate centers of said data cells, respectively; means for averaging the respective coordinates of the points of said positioned and repositioned cell center sampling pattern to provide a plurality of averaged data cell centers; and means for reading out the optical values of said data cells using said respective averaged coordinates of said data cell centers. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. An apparatus for finding an optically encoded label having a finder pattern comprising a plurality of spots arranged in a two dimensional array having a predetermined geometric pattern, said apparatus comprising:
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means for capturing a two dimensional image for storage in a memory, said stored two dimensional image containing an image of an optically encoded label anywhere within the field of view of said stored two dimensional image; a first data processor for detecting individual ones of said plurality of spots; and a second data processor for matching said detected individual ones of said plurality of spots to said predetermined geometric pattern. - View Dependent Claims (52)
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Specification