Low visual impact labeling method and system
First Claim
1. A method for scanning articles each labeled with a label comprising a light polarizing material, comprising the steps of:
- exposing the light polarizing material to a light source, the light polarizing material being positioned over a reflective layer to form a machine readable indicia including a code associated with the article;
dividing light reflected from the indicia into a plurality of beams;
filtering at least a plurality of the beams through polarizing filters, each of the filters being offset from each of the other filters by a predetermined angle;
generating an electronic image from each of the filtered beams with a detector;
comparing the electronic images to produce a composite image corresponding to the machine readable indicia; and
electronically analyzing the composite image to decode the indicia.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of forming symbols, characters, and other images from a light polarizing material including machine readable indicia enabling automated identification of articles is disclosed. A light polarizing material is applied over a reflective layer in a machine readable pattern. The material may be an image imprinted on a label with a light polarizing material on a substrate such as a transparent oriented film. In one aspect, a mail processing system includes a computer including a database of destination codes corresponding to a plurality of mail pieces for delivery to at least some of the destination codes. A media applicator utilizes the database for generating and applying a light polarizing material to a label or article to form a machine readable indicia, including the destination code for each of the plurality of mail pieces. A mail sorting system utilizing the label includes a camera with polarized lenses for filtering light reflected from indicia formed from a light polarizing material on the label. A detector associated with each of the lenses for detecting reflected light and generating a signal in response thereto. Signals from the detector are compared by a computer that produces an electronic image or pattern corresponding to the machine readable indicia and generates a sorting signal based upon the indicia which is transmitted to a mail sorter where the mail pieces are sorted.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for scanning articles each labeled with a label comprising a light polarizing material, comprising the steps of:
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exposing the light polarizing material to a light source, the light polarizing material being positioned over a reflective layer to form a machine readable indicia including a code associated with the article;
dividing light reflected from the indicia into a plurality of beams;
filtering at least a plurality of the beams through polarizing filters, each of the filters being offset from each of the other filters by a predetermined angle;
generating an electronic image from each of the filtered beams with a detector;
comparing the electronic images to produce a composite image corresponding to the machine readable indicia; and
electronically analyzing the composite image to decode the indicia. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for scanning destination information from a series of mail pieces, each mail piece being labeled with a bar code formed from a light polarizing material, the method comprising:
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exposing the mail piece to a light source, such that light is reflected through the bar code from a reflective layer under the bar code;
dividing the reflected light into a plurality of beams;
filtering at least a plurality of the beams through polarizing filters, each of the filters being offset from each of the other filters by a predetermined angle;
generating an electronic image from each of the filtered beams with a detector;
comparing the electronic images to produce an image of the bar code; and
electronically analyzing the composite image to decode the bar code.
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10. A method for scanning articles each labeled with a label including a light polarizing material, comprising the steps of:
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conveying the articles past a light source to expose the light polarizing material to light, the light polarizing material being positioned over a reflective layer to form a machine readable indicia including a code associated with the article;
dividing light reflected from the indicia into a plurality of beams;
filtering at least a plurality of the beams through polarizing filters, each of the filters being offset from each of the other filters by a predetermined angle;
generating an electronic image from each of the filtered beams with a detector;
subtracting a first digitalized image from a second digitalized image to obtain a difference representing the machine readable indicia; and
electronically analyzing the composite image to decode the indicia. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification