Apparatus and method for storing and reading data

• US 5,545,890 A
• Filed: 01/18/1995
• Issued: 08/13/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Houghton, Richard A., Ruzic, Steven L.
• Primary Examiner(s): PITTS, HAROLD I
• Application Number:
  US08/374,318
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 235/494, 235/456
• US Class Current: 235/494
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding

Abstract

An apparatus (38) for storing data includes a storage media (14). Also included are a number of vertical bars (40), each providing a vertical edge (50) for defining columns (44), and a number of horizontal bars (42), each providing a horizontal edge (52) for defining rows (46). The vertical bars (40) and the horizontal bars (42) are printed on storage media (14). A number of data blocks (48) are formed, each data block (48) located in a row (46), column (44) position.

Claims

1. An interpreter for interpreting pixel data generated by a scanner while scanning a storage format printed on a media, comprising:

a processor for executing instructions for converting the pixel data to binary data;

a program memory programmed for instructing said processor to;

locate a vertical edge of a column of the storage format,

locate a horizontal edge of a row,

count a first predetermined number of pixels from said horizontal edge, and

count a second predetermined number of said pixels from said vertical edge.

2. The interpreter of claim 1 wherein said program memory is further programmed to:

determine pixel values of a number of pixels within a data unit positioned said first predetermined number of pixels from said horizontal edge and said second predetermined number of pixels from said vertical edge; and

determine a data unit value for said data unit from said values of said number of pixels.

3. The interpreter of claim 1 further comprising an input buffer for temporary storage of incoming said pixel values and an output buffer for temporary storage of outgoing said data unit values.

4. A scanner system comprising:

a scanner for scanning a media printed with a storage format and converting said storage format to pixel data; and

an interpreter for interpreting said pixel data, said interpreter having;

a processor for executing instructions for converting said pixel data to binary data,

a program memory programmed for instructing said processor to;

locate a vertical edge of a column of said storage format,

locate a horizontal edge of a row,

count a first predetermined number of pixels from said horizontal edge, and

count a second predetermined number of said pixels from said vertical edge.

5. The scanner system of claim 4 wherein said program memory is further programmed for instructing said processor to:

determine pixel values of a number of pixels within a data unit positioned said first predetermined number of pixels from said horizontal edge and said second predetermined number of pixels from said vertical edge; and

determine a data unit value for said data unit from said pixel values.

6. The scanner system of claim 4 further comprising:

a light source for illuminating said printed media;

optics for directing and focusing light reflected from said printed media; and

an image capture device for converting said reflected light into said pixel data.

7. The scanner system of claim 4 further comprising a roller bar assembly for feeding said media to the scanner.

8. A method for interpreting pixel data generated by a scanner while scanning a storage structure printed on a media, comprising the steps of:

locating a position of a vertical edge of a column;

locating a position of a horizontal edge of a row;

counting a first predetermined number of pixels from said horizontal edge to locate a horizontal data position of a data unit; and

counting a second predetermined number of said pixels from said vertical edge to locate a vertical data position of a data unit.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of determining pixel values of a number of pixels within said data unit.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of determining a data unit value of said data unit from said pixel values.