WO1994015317A1

WO1994015317A1 - An optically readable etiquette, containing coded information

Info

Publication number: WO1994015317A1
Application number: PCT/SE1993/001104
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars-Erik Bolling
Original assignee: Baumer Ident Ab
Priority date: 1992-12-22
Filing date: 1993-12-22
Publication date: 1994-07-07
Also published as: SE9203861D0

Abstract

An optically readable etiquette containing encoded information in a first pattern (1) is described. It is especially characterized in that the etiquette in connection to the first pattern also comprises at least one second pattern (4) for locating of the first pattern (1), which second pattern consists of a number of figures, diverging optically from the background, arranged with equal mutual distances along two coodinate directions, which preferably form right angle to each other.

Description

An optically readable etiquette, containing coded inf ormat ion

The present invention relates to an optically readable etiquette containing encoded information in a first pattern. Etiquette in this context means etiquettes in ordinary meaning as well as part of wrapping, container, punched plate etc.

Optically readable etiquettes of many kinds are known, firstly such that contain an encoded information in the form of a number of bars of different widths with varying distances, intended to be read in one dimension. Recently, a number of suggestions for two- dimensional , optically readable etiquettes have been presented, containing encoded information in different forms. In automatic handling of goods it is difficult to read codes in the form of bars, that is to say bar codes, as the bars must be relatively narrow regarding reasonable information density. Furthermore, it is difficult to arrange the reading such, that the etiquette is located in a correct position for reading. A code, arranged in two dimensions enables a more safe reading. A known such code is the american Automatic Identification Manufacturers Uniform Symbol Description- 5, called USD-5, comprising a number of rectangles, arranged in relatively widely spaced columns and lines against an optically contrasting background. This code contains a limited information amount per area unit, that is to say, it utilizes the available information area relatively poorly.

Another two- dimensional code has been suggested in US 4,286,146, that shows an optically readable etiquette with encoded information in the form of segments arranged in a special way in columns and lines, that are necessary for the envisaged way of writing information.

Thus this code shows a certain limitation in the possible information density per area unit and also demands a relatively large computer capacity for locating and determinating the coordinate directions of the pattem and its scale.

A severe problem in automatic reading of etiquettes remains in the locating of same on parcels and the like goods, the surface of which can show much optically readable information. In many cases it may be difficult or impossible to locate the code-containing pattem, in the short time, that is most often available.

The object of the present invention thus is to achieve an optically readable etiquette of the art mentioned introductorily, that enables large information density per area unit, but that is easily located and safely readable, even if it is surrounded by a large amount of optically readable information or an optical disturbance.

According to the invention, such an etiquette is primarily characterized in that the etiquette in connection with the first pattern also comprises at least one second pattern for locating the first pattern, which second pattern consists of a number of figures, optically diverging from the background, arranged with equal mutual distances along two coordinate directions, that preferably form a right angle with each other. In this embodiment, the etiquette can be located with electronic filtering technique, known per se, for instance by 2- dimensional Fourier analysis.

In one advantageous embodiment of the etiquette according to the invention, it also comprises a third pattern of the same type as said second pattern, the second and the third patterns being arranged symmetrically on either side of the first pattern. Such an embodiment makes the locating of the etiquette easier, that is to say, it demands less computer capacity.

In one embodiment of the etiquette, that enables large information density per area unit, the first pattern comprises a numeber of rectangles arranged mutually orthogonally, bordering with their sides on each other, the rectangles showing at least two different optical properties.

In the following, the invention is described more closely, reference being made to one enclosed figure 1.

In the figure a first pattern is referred to by 1. It consists of a number of black and white squares 2,3 arranged in an orthogonal pattern, bordering with their sides on each other, and together giving the desired code.On the sides of the first pattem 1 a second pattern 4 and a third pattern 5 are arranged, symmetrically. These second and third patterns are, in the shown example of an etiquette according to the invention, identical, and consist of a number of squares 8, that do not however, border on white squares, which is the case for the first pattern. As has been mentioned, the second and the third patterns have as an object to make possible or to make easier the locating the first pattern and furthermore to give the coordinate directions and scale of same. Without these second and possibly third pattem it would be either impossible to locate the etiquette or it would demand an appreciable larger computer capacity in the quipment, that is to locate the etiquette and to ^• interpret its code. In the figure there is also shown a fourth pattern 6 in the form of a wide black band, bordering on the lower edge of the first pattem, and a fifth pattem 7, also in the form of a wide black band, bordering on the upper edge of the first pattem. These last mentioned patterns can help to further facilitate the determination of the coordinate directions of the first pattem. It can also be used to determinate the standard of the etiquette for one of the optical propertis.

Claims

1. An optically readable etiquette, containing encoded information in one first pattem

(1 ), characterized in that the etiquette in connection to the first pattern also comprises at least one second pattem (4) for locating of the -the- first pattem (1), which second pattem consists of a number of figures diverging optically from the background, arranged with equal mutual distances along two coordinate directions, that preferably form a right angle to each other.

2. An etiquette according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a third pattem (5) of the same kind as said second pattern, the second and the third patterns (4,5) being arranged symmetrically on either side of the first pattem (1).

3. An etiquette according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first pattem (1) comprises a number of rectangles ( 2,3), arranged mutually orthogonal, bordering with their sides on each other, the rectangles showing at least two optical properties.