Multiple Column Code Patents (Class 235/456)
  • Patent number: 11715109
    Abstract: Transformation of inputs including beacon inputs, Global Positioning System (GPS) inputs, captured panorama inputs, user-penned descriptive inputs, and payment-amount-specifying inputs, via components, into outputs including user device POS configuration setting outputs and/or payment-gateway-directed authorization request outputs. Further, transformation of inputs including POS scanner inputs, POS keyboard inputs, and/or POS printer-directed inputs, via components, into outputs including compliance check outputs, tagged omnibus record outputs, SKU-UPC mapping outputs, and/or convergence/correlation outputs. Additionally, transformation of inputs including older limited-capability POS software image inputs and/or newer limited-capability POS software image inputs, via components, into outputs including update directive outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: IDID TECNOLOGIA LTDA
    Inventor: Alexandre Soares Pi Farias
  • Patent number: 11551523
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for digitally altering redeemed wagering tickets include a processor circuit for performing operations. A memory coupled to the processor circuit includes machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to receive an indication that a player has inserted a wagering ticket into an acceptor of a gaming device and cause an image capture device to generate a digital image of the wagering ticket. The processor digitally alters the digital image of the wagering ticket to form a digitally altered digital image. The digitally altered digital image includes a paid indication indicative that the wagering ticket has been redeemed, an amount indication indicative of an amount paid for the wagering ticket, and a time indication indicative of a time period associated with redemption of the wagering ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: James Vasquez, Dwayne Nelson
  • Patent number: 11521404
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a processor. The processor is configured to: determine a document type of a document by using a title of the document, the document being classified as the determined document type, the title representing a category of the document and being extracted from a read image of the document; and extract a field value from the document by using an item of definition information prepared in accordance with the determined document type from among items of definition information. The definition information is prepared for each document type and defines a rule for extracting a field value from a document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Junichi Shimizu, Shigeru Okada, Masanori Yoshizuka
  • Patent number: 11338597
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a first roller pair configured to convey a continuous medium, a printing head that is located downstream of the first roller pair and that performs printing on the continuous medium, a cutting unit that is located downstream of the printing head and that is configured to cut the continuous medium, a second roller pair that is located downstream of the cutting unit and that is configured to convey the continuous medium, a common driving source configured to apply driving force to the first roller pair and the second roller pair, and a clutch mechanism configured to cut power from the driving source to the second roller pair, wherein the clutch mechanism is a one-way mechanism that transmits the power when the continuous medium is conveyed in a forward direction and does not transmit the power when the continuous medium is conveyed in a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Itaru Kozuma, Yasushi Yajima, Takayuki Tamaki, Toshiaki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11308299
    Abstract: In a general aspect, orientation information is used to generate a unique code. In some aspects, orientation information is extracted from an object. The object includes multiple elements, and the orientation information indicates the relative spatial orientations of the respective elements. The orientation information can be extracted, for instance, by a scanner system that detects the elements. A unique code is generated for the object based on the orientation information. In some examples, the elements are diamond particles that each have one or more color centers, and the orientation information is extracted by detecting the color centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Dust Identity, Inc.
    Inventors: Ophir Gaathon, Jonathan Hodges
  • Patent number: 11288687
    Abstract: Systems and methods for initiating and conducting an automated survey are disclosed herein. According to some implementations, a processing device of a computer may receive a notification of an occurrence of a trigger event after the occurrence of the trigger event, initiate an automated survey to be offered to the customer, conduct the automated survey with the customer, and receive survey result information from the customer in response to the automated survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: XPO Last Mile, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Meyer, Jonathan Turner
  • Patent number: 11250064
    Abstract: A computer system for executing k-mismatch searches, comprising at least one processor, configured to: receive a size of a search term; receive a similarity threshold: and generate a set of filters by: forming the set of filters based on a set of combinations of positions of matches, and gaps for the—size of the search term according to the similarity threshold, wherein each one—of the combinations contains at least one filter from the set of filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: OFEK—ESHKOLOT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTD.
    Inventors: Zakharia Frenkel, Zeev Volkovich
  • Patent number: 11042607
    Abstract: A content activation system is presented. A recognition engine is configured to obtain a descriptor set associated with an identified object represented within a digital representation. A content management module can be coupled with the recognition engine. The content management module can be configured to: obtain the descriptor set from the recognition engine, identify at least one content activation policy as a function of the descriptor set, identify a content set associated with an identified object and based on the descriptor set, and configure an output device to activate (e.g., release, render, present, interact, etc.) the content set according to the activation policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: NANT HOLDINGS IP, LLC
    Inventors: John Wiacek, Patrick Soon-Shiong
  • Patent number: 11036947
    Abstract: A color bar code comprising a first code block. The first code block comprises: a header region, comprising at least one header color bar, wherein the header color bar includes a predetermined asymmetric optical feature; and a code region, comprising at least one code color bar. The color kind or a color sequence of the code color bar indicates a code. Such color bar code can comprise more information and the contained therein is more easily to be acquired. A corresponding code determining method and a corresponding code determining system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Pix Art Imaging Inc.
    Inventor: Shu-Sian Yang
  • Patent number: 10878213
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a terminal for recognizing a two-dimensional code are provided. The two-dimensional code includes an image region and an encoding region. The image region and the encoding region have no overlap. The method includes selecting, from pixels of the two-dimensional code, a pixel included in a code element in an encoding region. The method further includes determining a value of the code element in the encoding region according to the pixel included in the code element in the encoding region. The method further includes recognizing the two-dimensional code according to the value of the code element in the encoding region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited
    Inventors: Dianping Xu, Yugeng Lin, Chen Ran, Jingjing Li, Hongyang Wang, Leteng Weng, Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 10713528
    Abstract: A system for evaluating a user-marked document having a response area and at least one image marker, the system includes a means for receiving a digital image of the user-marked document and a computer to identify user-mark positional information of at least one user-mark within the response area relative to the at least one image marker from the received digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: Daniel Kleinman
  • Patent number: 10680658
    Abstract: The decoder controller includes flip number management section configured to, after a decoding operation for a codeword of a first direction succeeds, decrease flip numbers of all codewords of a second direction which intersect with the codeword of the first direction and have error-probable areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jang Seob Kim
  • Patent number: 10402522
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure address improved systems and methods for region-aware clustering in integrated circuit (IC) designs. Consistent with some embodiments, the method may include identifying a clustering region for each clock driver included in an IC design based on locations of sinks and blockages, and timing constraints. The CTS tool finds representative locations for each clock driver within their respective clustering regions. Given the representative location for each clock driver, the CTS tool applies point-based clustering to the clock drivers of the IC design to obtain one or more clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Natarajan Viswanathan, Charles Jay Alpert, Thomas Andrew Newton, William Robert Reece
  • Patent number: 10207533
    Abstract: A security element (1) for security papers, documents of value or the like, having a substrate (3) the upper face (6) of which is height-modulated, and has a multilayer structure (7) which acts as a color filter. The structure is formed on the height-modulated upper face (6) and is likewise height-modulated as a result, and includes a first layer (8), a second layer (9) of dielectric material formed thereon and a third layer (10) formed on the second layer (9), wherein the first and third layer (8,10) are each formed from a dielectric material having a higher refractive index than that of the second layer (9), or in each case from a metal or semi-metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventor: Hans Lochbihler
  • Patent number: 10198661
    Abstract: A system for evaluating a user-marked document having a response area and at least one image marker, the system including an image capturing device to obtain a digital image of the user-marked document, and a computer to identify positional information of the at least one image marker from the obtained digital image of the user-marked document, wherein the image marker provides context to marks on the user-marked document based on the position of the mark relative to the image marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: Daniel Kleinman
  • Patent number: 10083692
    Abstract: The specification discloses a method of generating and recognizing voice based playback information, and a recording medium for storing instructions for performing the method. That is, a voice playback file for outputting voice is converted to playback information, and the voice is outputted by playing back the voice playback file, when the playback information is recognized. Thus, a recording function, which can be utilized in various fields, can be provided without using a separate storage for storing the voice playback file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: MTCOM CO., LTD
    Inventor: Seung Bin Paick
  • Patent number: 9972076
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for adjusting one or more images of a sample to correct geometric distortions and/or to properly align the one or more images using a pattern of dots, e.g., a quasiperiodic grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Cellular Technologies Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Kaupo Palo
  • Patent number: 9928455
    Abstract: Containers for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine that includes beverage or foodstuff preparation material and a code encoding preparation information are disclosed. Beverage or foodstuff preparation machines and systems that can be utilized with the container are also disclosed. Methods of producing and using the containers, machines, and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Flick
  • Patent number: 9916527
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating a 2D barcode. In an embodiment, the method includes: embedding primary information that can be read by a 2D-barcode-reader in a primary information pattern, and embedding secondary information that is made difficult to reproduce without alteration in a visible pattern. In an embodiment, the visible pattern is embedded within the barcode in at least one area that does not contain any primary information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SCANTRUST SA
    Inventors: Justin Picard, Paul Landry
  • Patent number: 9892300
    Abstract: Disclosed is a two-dimensional code which is not likely to be affected by contamination or out-of-focus photographing thereof and can thus be accurately recognized in a short time even when it is photographed under various photographing conditions. The disclosed two-dimensional code comprises: cells representing binary-coded data that are arranged as a pattern in a two-dimensional matrix; and four or more different position detection patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: KYODO PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yutaka Hosokane
  • Patent number: 9710826
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method of providing for the displaying of third-party multimedia advertising content and controlling the review of at least one multimedia content file using an interactive advertising application program configured for use on a mobile device. The application program is configured for scanning an encoded image framed by an interactive frame with at least one embedded hyperlink or icon within, which activates the at least one embedded hyperlink or icon, and upon activation, the at least one encoded image with an icon may be used for accessing and controlling the review of the at least one multimedia content file. However, prior to the displaying of the at least one multimedia content file, the third-party multimedia advertising content may be displayed, thereby allowing for a revenue generating for all third-party multimedia advertising content displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Isaac S. Daniel
  • Patent number: 9710872
    Abstract: An information insertion method, an information extraction method, and an information extraction apparatus using dot-based information are provided herein. The information extraction apparatus includes an identification unit and an extraction unit. The identification unit identifies a set of at least one dot output to a target. The extraction unit extracts information from the set of at least one dot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Seung Jin Ryu, Min Sik Kim, Han Jun Yoon, Do Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9607673
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting data over physical channels to provide a high speed, low latency interface such as between a memory controller and memory devices. Controller-side and memory-side embodiments of such channel interfaces are disclosed which require a low pin count and have low power utilization. In some embodiments of the invention, different voltage, current, etc. levels are used for signaling and more than two levels may be used, such as a vector signaling code wherein each wire signal may take on one of four signal values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: KANDOU LABS S.A.
    Inventors: John Fox, Brian Holden, Amin Shokrollahi, Anant Singh, Giuseppe Surace
  • Patent number: 9594994
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security element applied onto printing substrates (bank notes, securities, product packagings, identity cards/labels or other similar documents) by printing, comprising a unique identifier as primary information visible to the naked eye and secondary information protecting against copying non-visible to the naked eye. The unique identifier is typically a point code. Said secondary information is represented by a structure with the largest dimension of 2 to 40 microns, and due to printing distortions arising when the security element is applied onto a printing substrate, said secondary information is non-reconstructable from the print of the security element and a statistically analyzable inherent feature is associated to it. The invention also relates to a printed matter with such an inventive security element and to a method to check authenticity of a printed matter with the inventive security element in visible light (380-750 nm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Glenisys Kft.
    Inventors: Attila Biró, Gábor Kristó, Piroska Reményi
  • Patent number: 9561387
    Abstract: An ambiguity-free optical tracking system (100) includes a position sensor unit (104), a control box (106), a computer (110) and software. The position sensor unit includes two cameras (121 and 122) that track a plurality of individual infra-red reflecting markers (160) affixed on a patient's skin. Coordinates of the cameras in a coordinate system of the cameras are determined as part of a system calibration process by intentionally creating ambiguous markers with two true markers. Using this information, an ambiguity elimination algorithm automatically identifies and eliminates ambiguous markers. A recursive backtracking algorithm builds a one-to-one correspondence between reference markers and markers optically observed during treatment. By utilizing a concept of null markers, the backtracking algorithm deals with missing, misplaced and occluded markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Unitversity of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Guanghua Yan, Bo Lu, Chihray Liu, Jonathan G. Li
  • Patent number: 9454695
    Abstract: A method for matching a pattern to a multi-view sequence includes receiving a multi-view sequence which includes a plurality of sequences. Each sequence includes symbols drawn from a respective alphabet. A pattern to be matched on the multi-view sequence is received. The pattern includes a sequence of symbols drawn from a plurality of the alphabets. Offsets are assigned to the symbols as a function of a latest position of the symbol in the pattern or a length of the pattern otherwise. The multi-view sequence is traversed with the pattern to identify index positions in the sequence at which the pattern matches the corresponding part of the multi-view sequence. The pattern is shifted between index positions by a shift which is based on a minimum of the offsets for those of the symbols of the plurality of sequences that are aligned with a last of the symbols in the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthias Gallé
  • Patent number: 9454748
    Abstract: A method for the management of data collected from a remote computing device including the steps of: creating a questionnaire; transmitting the questionnaire to a remote computer; executing the questionnaire in the remote computer to prompt a user for responses to questions of the questionnaire; transmitting the responses to a sever via a network; making the responses available on the Web. Preferably, computers used in connection with the inventive method are loosely networked in that network connections between computers are not always available and, when a connection is not available, data is stored at a node of the network and transmitted at the earliest time when a connection is available. In one preferred embodiment, the inventive method is used to collect survey data and to make the responses to the survey available to a client in virtually real time over the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: EDICHE, LLC
    Inventor: J. David Payne
  • Patent number: 9290010
    Abstract: A method and system for applying and reading a fractal image to and from a plurality of objects to act as an identification label is provided. The system includes a printer for printing a fractal pattern to the plurality of objects and a reader for reading the printed fractal pattern. Such a fractal image is robust to printing and imaging difficulties and inconsistencies, and is difficult to copy, thus defending against counterfeiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ai Cure Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Hanina, Maurice Lepouttre, Lei Guan
  • Patent number: 9274350
    Abstract: An ophthalmic lens (1) has a front surface (2) and a rear surface, each of the front and rear surfaces comprising a central optical zone (4) which is surrounded by a peripheral zone (3). The ophthalmic lens (1) further comprises a unique lens identification code which is arranged in the peripheral zone (3) of one of said front and rear surfaces. The unique lens identification code has the form of an N×M dot matrix (5) comprising N rows and M columns of matrix elements (50), and the N×M dot matrix (5) represents a binary code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventors: Rene Ochrombel, Jochen Koehler, Dieter Zahn, Roger Biel
  • Patent number: 9256853
    Abstract: A portable radio-frequency identifier (RFID) reading terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, an RFID reading device, and a display. The portable RFID reading terminal can be configured to display a scan trace provided by a line comprising a plurality of time varying points. Each point can be defined by a projection of a radio frequency (RF) signal coverage shape of the RFID reading device onto a chosen plane at a given moment in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Vargas, Tom Plocher, Ynjiun Paul Wang, Sriharsha Putrevu, Philip Zumsteg
  • Patent number: 9248640
    Abstract: System, method, article for determining registration and/or skew errors in a print medium with respect to a printing element includes a print medium including a two-dimensional pattern including a grid within a geometric shape. The grid has a plurality of vertical and horizontal lines, the intersection of each forming a cross-hair defining an X-Y positional data point; the collection of data points defining a data set. The geometric shape is in the form of a two-dimensional target having a plurality of concentric rings; an innermost one enclosing at least one of the X-Y positional data points in the data set. The printing element provides a marker onto the print medium. The positional location of the marker with respect to the one of the at least one enclosed X-Y positional data point defines a directional displacement vector for correcting registration and/or skew error between the print medium and the printing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventor: Too Mui Heng
  • Patent number: 8938664
    Abstract: A representation of a codeword is decoded by applying a first decoder of the codeword to the representation of the codeword. If applying the first decoder fails to decode the representation of the codeword then a second decoder of the codeword is applied to the representation of the codeword. Preferably, applying the first decoder consumes less power and is faster than applying the second decoder. Data are ported by encoding the data as a codeword, exporting the codeword to a corrupting medium, importing a representation of the codeword, and applying a first decoder to the representation of the codeword. If applying the first decoder fails to decode the representation of the codeword then a second decoder of the codeword is applied to the representation of the codeword.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ramot at Tel Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Idan Alrod, Eran Sharon, Simon Litsyn
  • Patent number: 8849943
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for navigating through information associated with physical objects or locations. During operation, the system detects a multi-resolution visual code placed on or in the vicinity of a physical object or location. The system then determines a level of resolution for the detected code, and decodes the code at the determined level of resolution to obtain the information. Subsequently, the system presents the information to a user, thereby allowing the user to navigate through information associated with the physical object or location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Qingfeng Huang, James E. Reich, Marc E. Mosko, Victoria M. E. Bellotti
  • Patent number: 8763906
    Abstract: A method of decoding a two-dimensional enhanced-density barcode. A first and a second barcode are encoded in the enhanced-density barcode. The enhanced-density barcode includes a set of blocks. Each block includes a predefined number of sub-pixels. The blocks of the enhanced-density barcode being arranged relatively to each other in a geometrical lattice having a first and a second lattice direction. The method includes the steps of distorting of the enhanced-density barcode in the first lattice direction, resulting in a first distorted barcode, distorting of the enhanced-density barcode in the second lattice direction, resulting in a second distorted barcode, reconstructing the first barcode by low-pass filtering the first distorted barcode, reconstructing the second barcode by low-pass filtering the second distorted barcode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Peter Kuyper-Hammond, Michael Charles Osborne, Tamas Visegrady
  • Patent number: 8740080
    Abstract: An imaging reader for, and a method of, imaging symbols of different symbologies and a receipt acknowledgment, include a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors for capturing return light from the symbols of different symbologies and the receipt acknowledgment over a field of view, and a controller operatively connected to the imager. The controller is automatically configured for detecting a symbol having a specific symbology, for decoding the symbol having the specific symbology, for processing the receipt acknowledgment only when the symbol having the specific symbology has been detected and decoded, and for decoding symbols having symbologies different from the specific symbology when the symbol having the specific symbology has not been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Duanfeng He, Thomas Lackemann
  • Patent number: 8628023
    Abstract: An augmented binary code symbol (100) includes a perimeter, first and second data regions (20) along adjacent sides of the perimeter, first and second utility regions (30) along adjacent sides of the perimeter opposite the first and second data regions (20), first and second finder cells (40) at opposite comers of the rectangle, and inner and outer quiet regions distinguishing the first and second data regions, the first and second utility regions (30), and the first and second finder cells (40) from their background. Each data region and each utility region has at least one row (22) of a plurality of data cells (24) and utility cells, respectively, which encode data and have well-defined edges, enabling the number of data and utility cells to be increased, so as to increase the density of the encoded data. The data and utility cells are marked using a short wave length laser in order to create the well-defined edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Direct Measurements, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Hovis, William Ranson, Reginald Vachon
  • Patent number: 8380336
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the individual tracking of metallic hollow bodies, in particular hot-fabricated steel tubes, wherein following a final step of hot-work the individual tube is provided with a distinctive identification on the tube circumference, which is read in the feed region to the subsequent manufacturing or test stations automatically as a video image during transport and independently from the direction of transport. According to the invention, the labeling of the tube circumference is carried out in at least two segment-like sections, the tube circumference being divided, wherein the labeling is carried out in segments with a rotation of less than 360 DEG of the numbering unit and the segments comprise an axial offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, which is greater than the width of the data matrix code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: V & M Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Van Well, Manfred Achterkamp, Michael Eichler
  • Patent number: 8328109
    Abstract: A substrate having a first coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The first coding pattern comprises: a plurality of target elements defining a target grid, the target grid comprising a plurality of cells, wherein neighboring cells share target elements; a plurality of data elements contained in each cell; and a plurality of tags. Each tag is defined by a first set of contiguous cells. Each tag comprises respective tag data encoded by a respective set of the data elements. Each cell comprises one or more registration symbols encoded by a respective set of said data elements. Each of the registration symbols identifies the cell as being contained in the first set, and thereby contained in the first coding pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Paul Lapstun
  • Patent number: 8267321
    Abstract: A method of decoding a two-dimensional enhanced-density barcode. A first and a second barcode are encoded in the enhanced-density barcode. The enhanced-density barcode includes a set of blocks. Each block includes a predefined number of sub-pixels. The blocks of the enhanced-density barcode being arranged relatively to each other in a geometrical lattice having a first and a second lattice direction. The method includes the steps of distorting of the enhanced-density barcode in the first lattice direction, resulting in a first distorted barcode, distorting of the enhanced-density barcode in the second lattice direction, resulting in a second distorted barcode, reconstructing the first barcode by low-pass filtering the first distorted barcode, reconstructing the second barcode by low-pass filtering the second distorted barcode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Peter Kuyper-Hammond, Michael Charles Osborne, Tamas Visegrady
  • Patent number: 8181885
    Abstract: A method of imaging a coding pattern disposed on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises the steps of: (a) capturing an image of a portion of the coding pattern; (b) sampling and decoding a plurality of registration symbols contained in the imaged portion; (c) determining an orientation from the decoded registration symbols; and (d) using the determined orientation to sample and decode tag data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Paul Lapstun
  • Patent number: 8098937
    Abstract: To accurately discriminate a dot region within an image, the image processing apparatus includes first through fourth isolated dot discriminating portions each judging, for each of a plurality of pixels included in the image, whether the pixel corresponds to a center pixel of an isolated dot, an isolated dot size determining portion detecting an isolated dot size, a dot region discriminating portion judging whether a target pixel is included in a dot region based on a position of the pixel judged as being the center pixel of the isolated dot, and a dot region determining portion determining the dot region based on a position of the target pixel judged as being included in the dot region and the detected isolated dot size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 8070066
    Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention provide for a method for preserving and maintaining document integrity. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the contents of a document, or contents of a document layer may be encoded into a machine-readable form. In some embodiments, the encoded information may be represented using a 2-dimensional bar code. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the machine-readable code is printed along with contents of the document based on space available in the document. In some embodiments, a printed document containing the machine-readable code may be scanned and digitized, and content extracted from the scanned data. In some embodiments, the machine-readable code printed on the document is used to recreate layer data from the printed document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 7956749
    Abstract: A system for determining compatibility between various items is disclosed. A wireless communication device is used to scan a machine-readable tag which includes a plurality of information fields. The information fields include at least identification information of the primary object to which the tag is affixed, list of compatible items, characteristic information of the primary object or other objects, etc. The scanned information from the tag is compared to information in other tags. If the at least some of the information in the tag affixed to the primary object matches the information in one or more other tags, a notification event is triggered to inform the user of the match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Stephan Hartwig, Georg Ullenboom
  • Patent number: 7853074
    Abstract: A method for removing unwanted form color content from a scanned document by segmenting the image into two or more tiles (14). Each tile (14) is classified into at least a first and second set according to its combination of background and color content. A background color is identified from the first set of tiles (14). At least one form color is identified from the second set of tiles. A transform is applied that shifts form color image data values toward background color data values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Gregory S. Mischler
  • Patent number: 7784694
    Abstract: An encoder that includes a code strip and an emitter-detector module is disclosed. The code strip has alternating reflective and opaque stripes and an imaging element in contact with a surface of the code strip. The optical element directs light incident thereon to the code strip. The emitter-detector module includes a light source that generates light and directs a portion of the generated light to the imaging element. The emitter-detector module also includes a photodetector that generates a signal representing an intensity of light received by the photodetector. The imaging element images light reflected from the code strip onto the photodetector. The imaging element can include a lens having a planar surface in contact with the surface of the code strip. The imaging element can be structured such that the imaging element collimates light from the light source such that collimated light is incident on one of the reflective stripes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Siang Leong Foo
  • Publication number: 20100213256
    Abstract: An imaging reader for, and a method of, processing a plurality of data, such as one or more symbols having the same or different symbologies, a receipt acknowledgment, and an alphanumeric address arranged at spaced-apart locations on a target, such as at parcel delivery label, employ a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors for capturing return light from the data on the target over a field of view, an actuator for actuating the images: to capture the return light from the data on the target in a single actuation, and a controller automatically configured for detecting all the data and the spaced-apart locations at which the data is arranged over the field of view, and for processing the return light captured by the imager from all the data only when all the data is of a predetermined type and is at predetermined locations on the target, in response to the single actuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Fjellstad, Patrick Mauro, Yu Sun
  • Patent number: 7775435
    Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention provide for a method for preserving and maintaining document integrity. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the contents of a document, or contents of a document layer may be encoded into a machine-readable form. In some embodiments, the encoded information may be represented using a 2-dimensional bar code. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the machine-readable code is printed along with contents of the document based on space available in the document. In some embodiments, a printed document containing the machine-readable code may be scanned and digitized, and content extracted from the scanned data. In some embodiments, the machine-readable code printed on the document is used to recreate layer data from the printed document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tomita
  • Publication number: 20100131368
    Abstract: A method for detecting a two-dimensional bar code pattern using a bar code pattern reader, the bar code pattern being in the form of a matrix of rows and columns of data cells of either a first or second colour representing encoded data bits, and containing a set of at least two predetermined locating symbols at predetermined positions within the bar code pattern, wherein the method comprises the steps of: receiving a two-dimensional image containing the pattern, analysing the image to identify potential occurrences of the locating symbols within the image, validating the potential occurrences of locating symbols by analysing the potential occurrences to identify any set of occurrences whose size and relative positions within the image are consistent with the predetermined positions of the locating symbols within the bar code pattern, thereby identifying a set of locating symbols, and identifying the location of the bar code pattern within the image on the basis of the positions of the identified locating sym
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: PEACHINC LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel Morris, Peter Mantock
  • Patent number: 7669769
    Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention provide for a method for preserving and maintaining document integrity. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the contents of a document, or contents of a document layer may be encoded into a machine-readable form. In some embodiments, the encoded information may be represented using a 2-dimensional bar code. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the machine-readable code is printed along with contents of the document based on space available in the document. In some embodiments, a printed document containing the machine-readable code may be scanned and digitized, and content extracted from the scanned data. In some embodiments, the machine-readable code printed on the document is used to recreate layer data from the printed document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tomita
  • Publication number: 20090242622
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus prints a mark-sensing sheet containing a plurality of entry fields. The image processing apparatus reads the mark-sensing sheet, determines a marked entry field entered by a user among the plurality of entry fields of the mark-sensing sheet, and stores information indicating the determined result. When the image processing apparatus rereads the mark-sensing sheet, the image processing apparatus compares the marked entry field entered by the user and information stored in a memory, thereby detecting the marked entry field that the user additionally enters for revision before rereading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tsukada