Apparatus for processing human-readable and machine-readable documents

• US 5,644,408 A
• Filed: 03/31/1995
• Issued: 07/01/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Wang, Ynjiun P., Li, Chung-Chi
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, KIM Y
• Application Number:
  US08/414,849
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 358/442, 358/448, 358/474, 358/475, 358/468, 358/467, 358/403, 358/440
• US Class Current: 358/468
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/71 Version control security arrangements therefor G06F21/57; Configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/126 by photographic or thermographic registration recording apparatus for measuring instruments G01D15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0016 Selecting or retrieving of images by means of their associated code-marks, e.g. coded microfilm or microfiche microfilm reading G03B21/11; computers therefor G06F16/00; teaching devices G09B5/02; accessing record carriers G11B27/002; static digital stores using optical elements G11C13/04; intermediate storage of facsimile picture signals H04N1/21
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06253 for a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1443 locating of the code in an image
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1456 determining the orientation of the optical code with respect to the reader and correcting therefore
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1486 Setting the threshold-width for bar codes to be decoded
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1491 the method including a reconstruction step, e.g. stitching two pieces of bar code together to derive the full bar code
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00334 with an apparatus processing barcodes or the like arrangements for sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00363 Bar codes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00374 : on the same page as at least a part of the image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00392 : Other manual input means, e.g. digitisers or writing tablets
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00968 : by scanning marks on a sheet mark-sheet input means H04N1/00355; sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 : Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0065 : Converting image data to a format usable by the connected apparatus or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0067 : Converting to still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0068 : Converting from still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 : Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 : of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 : of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 : Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 : Transmission

Abstract

An original document of one or more pages containing human-readable printed information is encoded in one or more two-dimensional bar code symbols and transmitted by facsimile to a remote site where a facsimile of the symbols is machine read, decoded and printed to provide an accurate reproduction of the original document. The facsimile symbol can be facsimile transmitted to another remote site where the facsimile symbol is regenerated, machine read, decoded and printed as another reproduction of the original document. The machine readability of the symbol facilitates computer entry of the original document printed information. The coded symbol may also contain data used at a remote site to control processing and dissemination of the original document printed information.

Claims

1. A facsimile transmission apparatus comprising:

document input means for inputting human-readable information of an original document to produce document data;

means for encoding said document data into a two-dimensional bar code symbol, wherein said two-dimensional bar code symbol has a format which is error-correctable; and

facsimile transmission means for transmitting a facsimile image of the two-dimensional bar code symbol to a remote location.

2. The facsimile transmission apparatus of claim 1 wherein said document input means comprises a computer input device for manual data input by an operator.

3. The facsimile transmission apparatus of claim 1 wherein said document input means comprises an optical scanning device.

4. The facsimile transmission apparatus of claim 3 further comprising optical character recognition means.

5. The facsimile transmission apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a printer for printing said two-dimensional bar code symbol, and wherein said facsimile transmission means comprises optical scanning means for scanning said printed two-dimensional bar code symbol prior to transmitting a facsimile image of the two-dimensional bar code symbol to a remote location.

6. The facsimile transmission apparatus of claim 1 wherein said facsimile transmission means transmits a facsimile image of the original document with the two-dimensional bar code symbol to a remote location.

7. The facsimile transmission apparatus of claim 1 wherein said facsimile transmission means transmits a plurality of two-dimensional bar code symbols, each of said two-dimensional bar code symbols being encoded with human-readable information content from each of a plurality of corresponding original documents.

8. A facsimile reception apparatus comprising:

facsimile reception means for receiving a facsimile image of a two-dimensional bar code symbol, said two-dimensional bar code symbol being encoded with document data representative of an original document, said two-dimensional bar code symbol having a format which is error-correctable;

a decoder, coupled to the facsimile reception means, for decoding the received facsimile image of the two-dimensional bar code symbol to reproduce the document data; and

an image reproduction unit, coupled with said decoder, for processing the document data to create an image of the original document.

9. The facsimile reception apparatus of claim 8 wherein said image reproduction unit is a display monitor.

10. The facsimile reception apparatus of claim 8 wherein said image reproduction unit is a printer.

11. The facsimile reception apparatus of claim 10 wherein said printer prints a document comprising an image of the original document and said two-dimensional bar code symbol.

12. The facsimile reception apparatus of claim 8 further comprising editing means to allow a user to modify said document image and create modified document data representative of said modified document image.

13. The facsimile reception unit of claim 12 further comprising:

means for encoding said modified document data into a modified two-dimensional bar code symbol, wherein said modified two-dimensional bar code symbol has a format which is error-correctable; and

facsimile transmission means for transmitting a facsimile image of the modified two-dimensional bar code symbol to a remote location.

14. The facsimile reception apparatus of claim 8 wherein said facsimile reception means prints an image of said received two-dimensional bar code, and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for optically scanning said printed image of said two-dimensional bar code symbol prior to decoding.

15. A facsimile system for the transmission of documents, said system comprising:

(a) a facsimile transmission apparatus at a first location comprising;

document input means for inputting human-readable information of an original document to produce document data;

means for encoding said document data into a two-dimensional bar code symbol, wherein said two-dimensional bar code symbol has a format which is error-correctable;

facsimile transmission means for transmitting a facsimile image of the two-dimensional bar code symbol to a remote location;

(b) a facsimile reception apparatus at a second location located remotely from said first location comprising;

facsimile reception means for receiving the transmission of the facsimile image of the two-dimensional bar code symbol;

decoder means, coupled to the facsimile reception means, for converting the received facsimile image of the two-dimensional bar code symbol to document data; and

an image reproduction unit, coupled with said decoder, for processing the document data to create an image of the original document.

16. The facsimile system of claim 15 wherein said document input means comprises a computer input device for manual data input by an operator.

17. The facsimile system of claim 15 wherein said document input means comprises an optical scanning device.

18. The facsimile system of claim 17 wherein said facsimile transmission apparatus further comprises optical character recognition means.

19. The facsimile system of claim 15 wherein said facsimile transmission apparatus further comprises a printer for printing said two-dimensional bar code symbol, and wherein said facsimile transmission means comprises optical scanning means for scanning said printed two-dimensional bar code symbol prior to transmitting a facsimile image of the two-dimensional bar code symbol to a remote location.

20. The facsimile system of claim 15 wherein said facsimile transmission means transmits a facsimile image of the original document with the two-dimensional bar code symbol to a remote location.

21. The facsimile system of claim 15 wherein said facsimile transmission means transmits a plurality of two-dimensional bar code symbols, each of said two-dimensional bar code symbols being encoded with human-readable information content from each of a plurality of corresponding original documents, wherein said facsimile reception means receives a facsimile image of each of said plurality of two-dimensional bar code symbols, wherein said decoder means converts each of said facsimile images of each of said plurality of two-dimensional bar code symbols to corresponding document data, and wherein said image reproduction unit processes the document data to create an image of each of said plurality of original documents.

22. The facsimile system of claim 15 wherein said image reproduction unit is a display monitor.

23. The facsimile system of claim 15 wherein said image reproduction unit is a printer.

24. The facsimile system of claim 23 wherein said printer prints a document comprising an image of the original document and said two-dimensional bar code symbol.

25. The facsimile system of claim 15 wherein said facsimile reception apparatus further comprises editing means to allow a user to modify said document image and create modified document data representative of said modified document image.

26. The facsimile system of claim 25 wherein said facsimile reception apparatus further comprises:

means for encoding said modified document data into a modified two-dimensional bar code symbol, wherein said modified two-dimensional bar code symbol has a format which is error-correctable; and

second facsimile transmission means for transmitting a facsimile image of the modified two-dimensional bar code symbol to a remote location.

27. The facsimile system of claim 15 wherein said facsimile reception means prints an image of said received two-dimensional bar code, and wherein said facsimile reception apparatus further comprises means for optically scanning said printed image of said two-dimensional bar code symbol prior to decoding.

28. A facsimile apparatus for the independent reception and transmission of documents, said apparatus comprising:

document input means for inputting human-readable information of an original transmission document to produce transmission document data;

means for encoding said transmission document data into a transmission two-dimensional bar code symbol, wherein said transmission two-dimensional bar code symbol has a format which is error-correctable;

facsimile transmission means for transmitting a facsimile image of the transmission two-dimensional bar code symbol to a remote location;

facsimile reception means for receiving a transmission of a facsimile image of a reception two-dimensional bar code symbol, wherein said reception two-dimensional bar code symbol is encoded with reception document data representative of human-readable information comprising a reception document and has a format which is error-correctable;

decoder means, coupled to the facsimile reception means, for converting the received facsimile image of the reception two-dimensional bar code symbol to reception document data; and

an image reproduction unit, coupled with said decoder, for processing the reception document data to create an image of the original reception document.

29. The facsimile apparatus of claim 28 wherein said document input means comprises a computer input device for manual data input by an operator.

30. The facsimile apparatus of claim 28 wherein said document input means comprises an optical scanning device.

31. The facsimile apparatus of claim 30 wherein said facsimile transmission apparatus further comprises optical character recognition means.

32. The facsimile apparatus of claim 28 wherein said facsimile transmission apparatus further comprises a printer for printing said transmission two-dimensional bar code symbol, and wherein said facsimile transmission means comprises optical scanning means for scanning said printed transmission two-dimensional bar code symbol prior to transmitting a facsimile image of the transmission two-dimensional bar code symbol to a remote location.

33. The facsimile apparatus of claim 28 wherein said facsimile transmission means transmits a facsimile image of the original transmission document with the transmission two-dimensional bar code symbol to a remote location.

34. The facsimile apparatus of claim 28 wherein said facsimile transmission means transmits a plurality of transmission two-dimensional bar code symbols, each of said transmission two-dimensional bar code symbols being encoded with human-readable information content from each of a plurality of corresponding original transmission documents.

35. The facsimile apparatus of claim 28 wherein said facsimile reception means receives a facsimile image of each of a plurality of reception two-dimensional bar code symbols, wherein said decoder means converts each of said facsimile images of each of said plurality of reception two-dimensional bar code symbols to corresponding reception document data, and wherein said image reproduction unit processes the reception document data to create an image of each of said plurality of original reception documents.

36. The facsimile apparatus of claim 28 wherein said image reproduction unit is a display monitor.

37. The facsimile apparatus of claim 28 wherein said image reproduction unit is a printer.

38. The facsimile apparatus of claim 37 wherein said printer prints a document comprising an image of the original reception document and said reception two-dimensional bar code symbol.

39. The facsimile apparatus of claim 28 further comprising editing means to allow a user to modify said reception document image and create modified reception document data representative of said modified reception document image.

40. The facsimile apparatus of claim 39 further comprising means for encoding said modified reception document data into a modified reception two-dimensional bar code symbol, wherein said modified reception two-dimensional bar code symbol has a format which is error-correctable and wherein said facsimile transmission means transmits a facsimile image of the modified reception two-dimensional bar code symbol to a remote location.

41. The facsimile apparatus of claim 28 wherein said facsimile reception means prints an image of said reception two-dimensional bar code, and wherein said facsimile apparatus further comprises means for optically scanning said printed image of said reception two-dimensional bar code symbol prior to decoding.