Page identification system and method

• US 6,729,543 B1
• Filed: 03/05/1999
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Audio Velocity, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Audio Velocity, Inc.
• Inventors: Stifelman, Lisa J., Fantone, Stephen D., Sevigny, Kevin, Arons, Barry M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US09/263,978
• Time in Patent Office: 1,887 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/462.13, 235/462.06, 235/462.25, 235/462.26, 235/462.27, 235/462.28, 235/462.29
• US Class Current: 235/462.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/48 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/062 Combinations of audio and printed presentations, e.g. magnetically striped cards, talking books, magnetic tapes with printed texts thereon

Abstract

An information processing system automatically identifies the page of a book, notebook, flip chart, writing pad, or the like. The system uses an optical sensor to read an identification code printed on each page (and the cover) of the book and processes the code to determine identifying information (e.g., page number) for the page. The optical sensor and related components are adjacent to the book and operate unobtrusively, yet reliability, at a distance therefrom. The system, which uses ambient light and selectively activates its own light source, is capable of operating under variable lighting conditions and requires no manual intervention by the user. In addition, the system is reliable and robust in that it allows standard printing techniques to be used to print the identification code on each page of the book.

Claims

1. A system for sensing information from an identification code disposed on a page, the system comprising:

a holder to maintain the page in a predetermined position;

an optical assembly comprising an optical sensor for receiving ambient light reflected from the identification code and generating a signal representative thereof, wherein the holder fixedly positions the optical assembly adjacent to an edge of the page, and wherein the optical assembly is configured to place a virtual location of the optical sensor above the page;

a processor coupled to the optical sensor for processing the signal; and

a light source coupled to the processor.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the identification code comprises a bar code.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the processor activates the light source when the processor determines, based on the signal, that the ambient light is low.

4. The system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the light source generates non-visible light.

5. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the processor executes a search of integration times to maximize the signal.

6. The system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the search executed by the processor is a binary search.

7. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the optical assembly further comprises a reflecting element and a focusing element, wherein the reflecting element directs the reflected ambient light onto the focusing element and the focusing element focuses the reflected ambient light onto the optical sensor.

8. The system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the optical sensor and the page are substantially coplanar.

9. The system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the relative locations of the page and the reflecting element position the optical sensor at the virtual location above the page.

10. A system for reading an identification code provided on a page, the system comprising:

means for maintaining the page in a predetermined position;

means for illuminating the identification code;

means for receiving ambient light reflected from the identification code and generating a signal representative thereof, wherein the means for maintaining fixedly positions the means for receiving adjacent to an edge of the page, and wherein the means for receiving is configured to be virtually located above the page; and

means for processing the signal and selectively activating the means for illuminating according to the ambient light,

wherein the means for maintaining, the means for illuminating, the means for receiving, and the means for processing are operatively coupled.

11. A system for reading an identification code from a page, the system comprising:

a holder for maintaining the page in a predetermined position;

a light source for selectively illuminating the identification code;

a mirror optically coupled to the light source and the identification code, the mirror disposed to direct light from the light source to the identification code and direct light reflected from the identification code;

a lens optically coupled to the mirror for focusing the reflected light;

a sensor optically coupled to the lens for receiving the focused light, the sensor generating a signal representative of the focused light, wherein the sensor is virtually located above the page; and

a processor for processing the signal and selectively activating the light source to supplement ambient light.

12. The optical system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the processor activates the light source when the signal indicates that the ambient light is low.

13. The optical system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the processor executes a search of integration times such that the signal has a range of output values.

14. A method for reading an identification code on a page, the method comprising the steps of:

a) configuring an optical assembly substantially coplanar with the page such that an optical sensor therein is virtually located above the page;

b) receiving light reflected from the page, wherein the reflected light is representative of the identification code;

c) generating an electrical signal corresponding to the reflected light;

d) processing the electrical signal to select an integration time of the optical sensor; and

e) decoding the identification code.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the processing step further comprises:

i) performing a search to select the integration time;

ii) using the integration time to change an analog output level of the optical sensor; and

iii) repeating steps i) and ii) to vary the integration time and approach a maximum analog output level without saturating the optical sensor.

16. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the processing step further comprises:

i) performing a search to select the integration time;

ii) using the integration time to broaden a range of analog output levels of the optical sensor; and

iii) repeating steps i) and ii) to vary the integration time and approach the widest range of analog output levels without saturating the optical sensor.

17. A method for reading an identification code on a page, the method comprising the steps of:

a) disposing an optical assembly adjacent and substantially in the same plane as, but not overlying, the page;

b) receiving light reflected from the page, wherein the reflected light is representative of the identification code;

c) generating an electrical signal corresponding to the reflected light;

d) processing the electrical signal to read the identification code; and

e) selectively activating an artificial light source to illuminate the page in response to step d).