Abstract: Machine-readable coded data disposed on or in a substrate. The coded data includes a plurality of layouts, each having n identical sub-layouts rotated 1/n revolutions apart about a center of rotation. Each layout encodes a first codeword formed from a sequence of n first symbols, each sub-layout defining the position of a respective one of the first symbols such that the first codeword is indicative of the orientation of the layout. In addition, each layout includes a number target features for enabling a preliminary location and rotation of the layout to be determined by a machine used to read the coded data, with at least some of the target features being shared by at least two of the layouts.

Abstract: Machine-readable coded data disposed on or in a substrate. The coded data includes a plurality of layouts located in a region, each layout having n identical sub-layouts rotated 1/n revolutions apart about a center of rotation. Each layout encoding a first codeword formed from a sequence of n first symbols, with each sub-layout defining the position of a respective one of the first symbols such that the first codeword is indicative of the orientation of the layout. Each layout also partially encodes a third codeword at least partially indicative of an identity of the region such that the region identity may be determined from two or more of the layouts.

Abstract: Providing interaction between a user with remote data stored on a network is disclosed. A physical medium has at least one hot spot encoded with linking data enabling access to remote data. The linking data is encoded according to a spectral encoding scheme. At least part of the linking data is visible and is blended with and appears to comprise at least part of an un-encoded graphic or text visible on the physical medium such that it is not apparent to a viewer of the physical medium that said linking data is encoded in said at least one hot spot. A sensor measures the hot spot and decodes the linking data. A transmitter coupled to the sensor transmits the linking data to a remote computer system. The remote computer system responds to the linking data to retrieve the remote data and present the remote data to the user.

Abstract: Briefly stated, the operating depth of field for a bar code scanner, preferably a laser scanner, is increased by placing a cubic phase mask (CPM) in the scanning beam. The masked beam is then scanned and reflected off a bar code and received by a photodetector. The received signal is then processed to recover the original unperturbed representation of the bar code pattern. The processed signal has an increased depth of field over an unmasked scanner signal.

Abstract: An interface surface for enabling interaction between a user and a computer system via a sensing device, the interface including visible graphical information and substantially invisible coded data readable by the sensing device, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a predetermined pattern, wherein each mark has a minimum radius and a maximum radius and wherein the length of a mark's minimum radius is greater than 40% of the length of that mark's maximum radius.

Abstract: The invention relates to: A method of providing an electronically readable item of information (725) on a medication cartridge (70). The invention further relates to a cartridge (70) containing an electronically readable item of information (725), a support (75) for reading the information (725) on the cartridge (70), a medication delivery device adapted to use a cartridge (70) and a support (75) according to the invention and a label (72) containing an electronically readable item of information (725). The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative method of generating an electronically readable item of information on a cartridge which method is simple and improves safety in reading. The problem is solved in that said item of information is redundantly provided (725, 726). The invention may e.g. be used in connection with medication delivery devices for self-treatment of a disease, e.g. diabetes.

Abstract: A method of enabling a user to instruct a computer system to perform an operation via an interface surface and a sensing device. The interface surface includes an interface, the interface including visible graphical information and substantially invisible coded data. When the sensing device is placed by the user into an operative position relative to the interface surface to designate at least some of the graphical information, it senses indicating data indicative of the operation using at least some of the coded data. The graphical information designated is at least partially indicative, to the user, of the operation. The operation indicated by the indicating data is then performed in the computer system.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system. The user interaction is via an interface, such as a sheet of paper bearing information relating to the computer software and coded data indicative of an interactive element relating to the computer software. A sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, and senses indicating data indicative of the interactive element. The sensing device also generates movement data indicative of the sensing device's movement relative to the interface surface. The indicating and movement data from the sensing device are received in a computer, and the interactive element identified. The computer software is then operated at least partly in reliance on the movement data, and in accordance with instructions associated with the interactive element.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk barcode forming method wherein, as information to be barcoded, position information for piracy prevention, which is a form of ID, is coded as a barcode and is recorded by laser trimming on a reflective film in a PCA area of an optical disk. When playing back the thus manufactured optical disk on a reproduction apparatus, the barcode data can be played back using the same optical pickup.

Abstract: An interactive interpreter of synchronous or asynchronous selective data from an annular indicia. The annular indicia has data contained thereon that is formatted into bit-cells. The bit-cells are angularly positioned about the circumference of the annular indicia. The annular indicia may, if desired, be rotated in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction enabling the interpretation of data encoded as bit-cells. A controller with memory, the memory having stored therein a software program that provides interpretation of the data contained on the annular indicia and the directional rotation of the data. The rotation of the annular indicia may, if desired, be started and stopped at any convenient time without loss of data or reinterpreting of data. The data contained on the annular indicia may, if desired, be selectively disposed about the circumference of the annual indicia.

Abstract: An interpretive system architecture for a seamless transfer of energy to a physical, chemical, or thermodynamic process stream, or microwave oven. The interpretive system architecture overlays the operational functions of the process stream or host microwave oven to interpret, control, and implement user independent commands. The interpretive system has at least one interpretive base class for providing operational instance to the process stream or host microwave oven. The interpretive system receives an indicia, the indicia being expressive of an externally derived predetermined compiled code disposed on the surface of a specimen, or food package, or associated thereto, the indicia communicating via at least one data entry mechanism to the process stream or host microwave oven. The interpretive system interprets the data or code and transforms it into user independent commands.

Abstract: The invention relates to: A method of providing an electronically readable item of information (725) on a medication cartridge (70). The invention further relates to a cartridge (70) containing an electronically readable item of information (725), a support (75) for reading the information (725) on the cartridge (70), a medication delivery device adapted to use a cartridge (70) and a support (75) according to the invention and a label (72) containing an electronically readable item of information (725). The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative method of generating an electronically readable item of information on a cartridge which method is simple and improves safety in reading. The problem is solved in that said item of information is redundantly provided (725, 726). The invention may e.g. be used in connection with medication delivery devices for self-treatment of a disease, e.g. diabetes.

Abstract: An encoded binder strip having an adhesive matrix and an encoded pattern formed on a surface of the matrix to identify the type of binder strip. The encoded pattern includes relatively high reflectivity regions and relatively low reflectivity regions. Preferably, the encoded pattern is read as the binder strip is fed into a binding machine, with the encoded pattern controlling operation of the machine.

Abstract: Data is recorded on a data recording medium as a code that can be optically read by using a manual scanning process. Images to be recorded on the periphery of the code include codes, images, texts, etc., and they respectively have attributes such as the shape, color and density. Then, depending on these attributes, the images are classified into those which cause adverse effects when read together with the code and those which do not cause any adverse effects, and the former images are referred to as interference images, and the latter images are referred to as non-interference image. Here, upon recording the above-mentioned code, on the periphery of the code is placed a non-interference area from which any of interference images having attributes (shape, color, density) that cause adverse effects upon reading the code are not allowed to exist. Any image other than the interference images, that is, any non-interference image, can be recorded within the non-interference area.

Abstract: A digital pen that has an ink writing tip includes a laser on a pen body that directs light toward paper across which the writing tip is stroked. A diffraction grating reflects a reference beam and passes a scattered beam from the substrate toward translation detectors, which consequently receive interference patterns of light. A processor receives the signals from the detectors, generates position signals, and stores the signals. Also, a bar code detector receives a bar code beam from the substrate, and a three dimensional force sensor outputs a signal representative of multidimensional forces applied to the pen. Subsequently, the signals are uploaded to a host processor which combines them to produce rotation-corrected relative positions (if no bar coded paper is used) or rotation-corrected absolute positions (if bar coded paper is used) that can be used to render alpha-numeric characters or graphical representations.

Abstract: A bar code comprises a data track (3; 104; 205; 304) and a clock track (4; 103; 204; 303). The separate clock track (4; 103; 204; 303) means that the sampling of the be synchronised with the movement of the bar code. The addition of a reference track (5; 105; 206) enables the forming of the bar code into a ring containing a plurality of repetitions of the encoded data. The bar codes may form a continuous ring themselves or be discrete blocks arranged in a ring. Consequently, a coin-like object (1; 101; 201), such as a coin or a token, can be marked with the bar code and the bar code can be read as the coin-like object (1; 101; 201) falls past an optical sensing station (26, 27, 226, 227) with sensors for reading respectively the clock data and reference tracks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus utilizing visually distinctive bar code symbols are described. An article is provided with a bar code symbol including a bar code. The bar code comprises a sequence of first and second element types. The bar code symbol is made visually distinctive through one of the following features: a) at least one bar code element is not a single straight line segment; b) a contour of a bounding shape of the smallest area encompassing the bar code has at least two adjacent sides that are not perpendicular; or c) a contour of a bounding shape of the smallest area encompassing an encoding region has no side such that one end of all the bar code elements within the region touches that side. A selectable resolver is used to identify a resource for the encoded value. The resolver may access the resource to provide additional information about the article.

Abstract: A device and a method for characterizing and identifying an object, e.g. a container, with a surface visible from outside the object, onto which is disposed an optically readable one-dimensional bar code consisting of bars and spaces, are characterized in that the bar code is disposed in an annular range (2) of the surface, that the bars and spaces extend in a star-like manner from a center of the annular area (2) to the outside and that the bar code is read in the circumferential direction of the annular area (2). This device and method enable automatic detection, recognition and identification of objects, like e.g. sample bottles for spectroscopic analysis in a simple technically undemanding and cheap manner, wherein automatic identification of hollow, in particular hollow cylindrical objects can also be easily realized.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of methods and systems for providing computer/human interfaces. According to one method, the user interfaces with an electronic device such as a computer system by engaging a sensor with desired regions of an encoded physical medium. The encoded physical medium is preferably chosen to provide intuitive meaning to the user, and is thus an improved metaphor for interfacing with the computer system. Suitable examples of the encoded physical medium include a data-linked book, magazine, globe, or article of clothing. Some or all of the selected regions have had certain information encoded therein, information suitable for interfacing and controlling the computer system. When the user engages the sensor with a region having certain encoded information, the certain encoded information is interpreted and an appropriate action taken. For example, the sensor or the computer system may provide suitable feedback to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accessing multimedia content using physical bookmarks are provided. The apparatus for accessing multimedia content using physical bookmarks includes one or more tokens. Each of the tokens associated with an identification code, wherein the identification code is associated with a multimedia content. The apparatus also includes an input device having a receptacle. The input device is operable to receive a first identification code from a first token placed on the receptacle in an arbitrary angular orientation. A processing component is coupled to the input device and operable to receive the first identification code, and operable to deliver a first multimedia content associated with the first identification code. The method includes detecting a token that is placed on a receptacle of an input device by a user, wherein the token has an identification code.

Abstract: Reading sections (21a, 21b) wherein disks (10a, 10b) bearing barcodes are installed, are provided, and code sensors (23a, 23b) for reading out these barcodes are provided in the reading sections (21a, 21b). When a player rotates a disk (10a, 10b) installed on a turntable (22a, 22b), the barcode is read out by the code sensors (23a, 23b), and parameters are set respectively on the basis of this barcode. Thereafter, if the player rotates the disk (10a, 10b) while simultaneously operating the buttons (25a-27a, 25b-27b), this combination is input as a command, and the game is developed accordingly. Thereby, it is possible to provide an information storage medium, information reproduction device, game machine, and information reproduction method, whereby code, such as barcode, or the like, can be used effectively.

Abstract: An interactive interpreter of synchronous or asynchronous selective data from an annular indicia. The annular indicia has data contained thereon that is formatted into bit-cells. The bit-cells are angularly positioned about the circumference of the annular indicia. The annular indicia may, if desired, be rotated in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction enabling the interpretation of data encoded as bit-cells. A controller with memory, the memory having stored therein a software program that provides interpretation of the data contained on the annular indicia and the directional rotation of the data. The rotation of the annular indicia may, if desired, be started and stopped at any convenient time without loss of data or reinterpreting of data. The data contained on the annular indicia may, if desired, be selectively disposed about the circumference of the annual indicia.

Abstract: A jewelry piece including a jewelry substrate having a recess formed therein, and an identification device, having detectable identification data formed thereon, disposed in the recess.