Two-dimensional code with locator and orientation components

• US 7,143,944 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2004
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Lapstun, Paul, Walmsley, Simon Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US10/974,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20050061892A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.46, 235/494, 235/454, 235/432, 235/384, 23546201-46245, 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/472.03, 235/455, 235/375, 235/383, 235/381, 235/380
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06 characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06168 the marking being a concentric barcode
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06262 with target- or other orientation-indicating feature
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1421 Circular 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

Abstract

A two-dimensional code includes an array of data components. The array represents coded data and is positioned in a data area on a carrier depicting the two-dimensional code. A locator component is detectable by a reader and is substantially independent of an orientation of the carrier. The locator component is in a predetermined position with respect to the data area. An orientation component is detectable by a reader and has an asymmetric shape so as to indicate an orientation of the carrier.

Claims

1. A two-dimensional code that comprises

an array of data components, the array representing coded data and positioned in a data area on a carrier depicting the two-dimensional code;

a locator component, detectable by a reader and being substantially independent of an orientation of the carrier, the locator component being in a predetermined position with respect to the data area; and

an orientation component, detectable by a reader and having an asymmetric shape so as to indicate an orientation of the carrier.

2. A two-dimensional code as claimed in claim 1, in which the array of data components is in the form of an array of dots printed on the carrier.

3. A two-dimensional code as claimed in claim 2, in which a predetermined number of dots represent a single bit of data, the dots being positioned on the carrier in accordance with a redundancy mechanism applied to the coded data.

4. A two-dimensional code as claimed in claim 2, in which the coded data represented by the dots incorporates a definition of how the coded data itself is stored as dots on the carrier.

5. A two-dimensional code as claimed in claim 2, in which the coded data represented by the array of dots incorporates data relating to an entry for each dot position within the array, each entry specifying whether a particular dot defines a data component, a locator component or an orientation component.

6. A two-dimensional code as claimed in claim 2, in which the coded data represented by the array of dots incorporates data relating to a dimension of the data area.

7. A two-dimensional code as claimed in claim 3, in which the coded data represented by the array of dots incorporates data relating to a number of data bits associated with the array of dots.