Distributed dimensional labeling for dimensional characterization of embedded data blocks

• US 5,939,703 A
• Filed: 05/15/1996
• Issued: 08/17/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Petrie, Glen W., Hecht, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G.
• Application Number:
  US08/649,749
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 235/494, 235/454, 235/456, 235/487
• US Class Current: 235/494
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0028 Adaptive watermarking, e.g. Human Visual System [HVS]-based watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0051 Embedding of the watermark in the spatial domain

Abstract

Embedded data blocks, such as block formatted glyph code patterns, are dimensionally characterized by address codes. The address codes may be spatially encoded as sync glyphs embedded in a glyph pattern including data glyphs. The encoded glyph pattern is read to recover the distributed dimensional labeling information for the embedded data blocks from the embedded sync glyphs. The encoded glyph pattern may be represented by slash-like symbols that appear gray under normal viewing.

Claims

1. A process for dimensionally characterizing an embedded data block, said process comprising the step

encoding at least one address code in a framework of embedded data characters that spans at least one dimension of said data block along multiple parallel paths;

reading said address code to determine relative addresses for spatially corresponding data characters on different ones of said parallel paths; and

processing said relative addresses to compute a dimension of said embedded data block.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said embedded data block is composed of a self-clocking glyph code pattern.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein said glyph code pattern is composed of slash-like symbols, said symbols being written on said recording medium on substantially uniformly spaced centers.

4. The process of claim 3 wherein said glyph code pattern has a substantially uniform grayscale appearance when viewed under ordinary viewing conditions.