Method for reproducing and using a bar code symbol

• US 8,662,396 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2010
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Labels That Talk, Ltd
• Original Assignee: Labels That Talk, Ltd
• Inventors: Berkun, Kenneth A., Felsenstein, Lee, Keenan, Peter B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHEDEKEL, TABITHA F
• Application Number:
  US12/848,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20110036909A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,310 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462, 235/472, 235/494, 235/462.1, 235/462.25, 235/470, 235/454, 235/487
• US Class Current: 235/462.1
• 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 1/18 by transferring data from one type of record carrier on to another type of record carrier, e.g. from magnetic tape to punched card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1491 the method including a reconstruction step, e.g. stitching two pieces of bar code together to derive the full bar code

Abstract

A segmented 2D matrix symbol may be formed by dividing data into a plurality of segments, separately encoding the plurality of segments as corresponding arrays of cells, and arranging the arrays of cells in an abutting relationship. The segmented symbol may be reproduced, for example by receiving a bitmap corresponding to the formed symbol followed by printing; by copying a printed symbol; or by scanning a printed symbol and printing a copy. The reproduced symbol may be scanned, and data from only decoded segments, for example audio data, may be output.

Claims

1. A method for reproducing a bar code symbol, comprising:

receiving a bitmap corresponding to a non-concatenated binary two-dimensional matrix bar code symbol that was formed by steps including;

dividing payload data into a plurality of segments;

separately encoding each of the plurality of segments as a corresponding binary two-dimensional matrix array of cells;

encoding, for each of the plurality of segments, a segment identification field; and

arranging the binary two-dimensional matrix arrays of cells and segment identification fields in an abutting relationship; and

printing a binary image corresponding to the bitmap;

wherein each of the plurality of binary two-dimensional matrix arrays of cells, in combination with the corresponding segment identification field, is separately decodable from others of the plurality of binary two-dimensional matrix arrays of cells.

2. The method for reproducing a bar code symbol of claim 1, wherein the steps for forming the bitmap corresponding to the bar code symbol include:

bitmapping at least one framing feature selected from the group consisting of at least one finder pattern, at least one clocking pattern, at least one indexing pattern, and at least one segment identifier; and

wherein arranging the arrays of cells in an abutting relationship includes arranging the at least one framing feature and the arrays of cells in an abutting relationship.

3. The method for reproducing a bar code symbol of claim 1, wherein the steps for forming the bitmap corresponding to the bar code symbol include:

bitmapping at least one framing feature selected from the group consisting of at least one finder pattern, at least one clocking pattern, at least one indexing pattern, and at least one segment identifier; and

wherein arranging the arrays of cells in an abutting relationship includes inserting the at least one framing feature between the abutting arrays of cells.

4. The method for reproducing a bar code symbol of claim 1, wherein printing the image corresponding to the bitmap includes:

executing a print command.

5. The method for reproducing a bar code symbol of claim 1, wherein printing the image corresponding to the bitmap includes:

transmitting the image as data from a computer to an electronic printer configured to receive the data and print a corresponding bar code symbol on a physical surface.

6. A method for reproducing a bar code symbol, comprising:

receiving a printed non-concatenated binary two-dimensional matrix bar code symbol that was formed by steps including;

dividing payload data into a plurality of segments;

separately encoding each of the plurality of segments as corresponding binary two-dimensional matrix arrays of cells;

encoding, for each of the second plurality of segments, a segment identification field;

arranging the binary two-dimensional matrix arrays of cells and segment identification fields in abutting relationships; and

printing the binary two-dimensional matrix arrays of cells and segment identification fields to form the printed bar code symbol; and

making a printed copy of the printed non-concatenated binary two-dimensional matrix bar code symbol;

wherein each of the plurality of binary two-dimensional matrix of arrays of cells, in combination with the corresponding segment identification field, is separately decodable from others of the second plurality of binary two-dimensional matrix arrays of cells.

7. The method for reproducing a bar code symbol of claim 6, wherein the steps for printing the bar code symbol include:

printing at least one framing feature selected from the group consisting of at least one finder pattern, at least one clocking pattern, at least one indexing pattern, and at least one segment identifier; and

wherein arranging the arrays of cells in an abutting relationship includes arranging the at least one framing feature and the arrays of cells in an abutting relationship.

8. The method for reproducing a bar code symbol of claim 6, wherein the steps for printing the bar code symbol include:

printing at least one framing feature selected from the group consisting of at least one finder pattern, at least one clocking pattern, at least one indexing pattern, and at least one segment identifier; and

wherein arranging the arrays of cells in an abutting relationship includes inserting the at least one framing feature between the abutting arrays of cells.

9. The method for reproducing a bar code symbol of claim 6, wherein making a printed copy of the printed bar code symbol includes:

scanning the printed bar code symbol with an optical scanner to form a bitmap; and

outputting the bitmap to a printing apparatus configured to print an image corresponding to the bitmap.

10. The method for reproducing a bar code symbol of claim 6, wherein making a printed copy of the printed bar code symbol includes:

performing electrophotographic copying with a copy machine.

11. The method for reproducing a bar code symbol of claim 6, wherein making a printed copy of the printed bar code symbol includes:

scanning and transmitting a copy of the printed bar code symbol to a fax machine.

12. A method for reading a bar code symbol, comprising:

scanning a non-concatenated binary two-dimensional matrix bar code symbol formed as a plurality of binary two-dimensional matrix arrays of cells and corresponding segment identification fields in an abutting relationship, the binary two-dimensional matrix arrays of cells corresponding to separately encoded segments of payload data divided from audio input data;

separately decoding each of at least some of the binary two-dimensional matrix arrays of cells; and

outputting audio data corresponding to the audio input data encoded by the decoded binary two-dimensional matrix arrays of cells.

13. The method for reading a bar code symbol of claim 12, wherein outputting audio data corresponding to the audio input data encoded by the decoded arrays of cells includes not outputting audio data corresponding to the audio input data encoded by non-decoded arrays of cells.

14. The method for reading a bar code symbol of claim 12, further comprising:

transducing the output audio data to play a corresponding audio signal.

15. The method for reading a bar code symbol of claim 14, further comprising:

not playing an audio signal corresponding to arrays of cells that were not decoded.

16. The method for reading a bar code symbol of claim 12, further comprising:

dividing the audio input data into a first plurality of segments;

separately encoding a second plurality of the segments as corresponding arrays of cells; and

arranging the arrays of cells in an abutting relationship.

17. The method for reading a bar code symbol of claim 12, further comprising:

scanning a second bar code symbol formed as a second plurality of arrays of cells in an abutting relationship, the second arrays of cells corresponding to separately encoded segments of data divided from second audio input data;

decoding at least some of the second arrays of cells; and

outputting audio data corresponding to the second audio input data encoded by the second decoded arrays of cells.

18. The method for reading a bar code symbol of claim 12, wherein the bar code symbol is produced by printing a bitmap of the arrays of cells arranged in the abutting relationship, by copying the bar code symbol with a photocopier, or by scanning and printing a copy of an original bar code symbol using a scanner and printer.