Two-dimensional tag with locator and orientation components

• US 7,287,706 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2007
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• 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:
  US11/650,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20070119956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 23546201-46225, 235/494, 235/456, 235/454, 235/455, 235/470
• US Class Current: 235/494
• 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 (2D) tag is provided for reading with an optical reader. The tag includes a locator component for locating the tag. An orientation component is provided so that the reader can sense its orientation relative to the tag. One or more data areas are provided which contain data to be read by the reader. Typically, the locator component includes an endless line, and the data areas are located both inside and outside of the endless line.

Claims

1. A two-dimensional (2D) tag for reading with an optical reader, the tag comprising:

a locator component configured to facilitate location of the tag by the reader;

an orientation component configured to facilitate sensing of an orientation of the reader relative to the tag; and

at least one data area operatively positioned with respect to the locator and orientation components and containing data to be read by the reader.

2. A 2D tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locator component is curved.

3. A 2D tag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locator component is a circular ring.

4. A 2D tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the orientation component is located within the confines of the locator component.

5. A 2D tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the orientation component comprises a linear body with a bulbous head.

6. A 2D tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein each data area is curved.

7. A 2D tag as claimed in claim 6, wherein each data area is one of an arcuate data block and a circular data block.

8. A 2D tag as claimed in claim 6, wherein each data area comprises a plurality of data bits with each bit represented by a plurality of visible dots.

9. A 2D tag as claimed in claim 6, wherein each data area comprises encoded data forming a generally checkered pattern.

10. A 2D tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locator component comprises an endless line.

11. A 2D tag as claimed in claim 10, wherein the data areas are located both inside and outside of the endless line.

12. A 2D tag as claimed in claim 1 and which is printed on a print medium.