Abstract: A numeric code has 10 characters in its set, each character having two dark bars in nine modules or a “Two of Nine Code”. All bars or gaps of this code are a minimum of two modules in width. Each numeric digit may have and OCR digit embedded into the barcode digit to make it human and machine readable.

Abstract: In a two-dimensional code, a plurality of unit cells are arranged in two-dimension. Each of the unit cells indicates one of at least three colors, such as, “white”, “black”, “red”, “blue”, and “green”. Each color of each of the unit cells is optically readable and represents a data value set to each of the unit cells. In the two-dimensional code, a specifying pattern portion is provided. The specifying pattern portion includes a plurality of color reference cells and is configured to specify positions of the unit cells. The color reference cells indicates all of the at least three colors.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a printing operation using information printed on paper or similar material. Information data is input via an input processor, such as a computer, and the information data is converted to a descriptive indicia, which can be printed on a data card. The data card can be used with a peripheral device, such as a printer to allow access to a data, such as a print job.

Abstract: A method for printing a large invisible luminescent bar code on a mail piece addresses the problem of obscuration of modules by printed text such as the address. The bar code is printed large enough so that the line width of the characters is substantially less than the module size of the bar code components. Overprinting does not then completely obscure any module and so the bar code is still readable. The readability is especially enhanced by the high contrast of the luminescent image. When a fluorescent bar code is viewed under UV illumination, the bar code emits fluorescence in the areas of printed modules without text overprinted. Because the modules are wider than the text line width, the text does not completely obscure any module. The contrast of the bar code is reversed in fluorescence—that is, printed areas emit light.

Abstract: Fiducial mark patterns for graphical bar codes (i.e., images that contain inconspicuous graphical modulations that encode embedded information) that are characterized by high detection robustness and good local deformation tracking are described. In one bar coding method, a base image is modulated with a graphical encoding of a message to produce a graphical bar code, and a fiducial mark pattern comprising a plurality of dots arranged to track one or more reference locations and local deformation across the graphical bar code is generated. In another bar coding method, fiducial mark candidates are identified in a fiducial mark pattern, a fiducial mark path is computed based upon one or more of the identified fiducial mark candidates, and one or more reference locations are identified based upon the computed fiducial mark path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical reader that includes a color imaging assembly that generates color imaging data. An image analysis circuit determines if the acquired image should be characterized as a color photograph or as including a graphical symbol. A processing circuit processes the imaging data based on the image analysis circuit's determination of whether the image is a graphical symbol or a color photograph. The present invention allows a user to acquire and process both color images and graphical symbols, such as bar codes, text, OCR symbols or signatures. The optical reader of the present invention is also configured to associate an acquired image with at least one other acquired image.

Abstract: An imaging method includes the steps of (a) determining whether an object on which an image is to be formed is an information display medium on which a code is formed with an imaging material formed of a near infrared absorbing pigment, and (b) forming the image on the object by a printer engine with an imaging material formed of a pigment absorbing no or little light in a near infrared spectral region if the step (a) determines that the object is the information display medium.

Abstract: To provide an information code which copes with the lack of the number of displayable items of commodities and the number of sub-items allotted to each item, without enlarging the information code, which lack is imposed due to the limit of the quantity of displayable information by a monochromatic information code such as a bar code. The information code is formed by arranging three or more types of display areas in a predetermined arrangement, the display areas being different in color (reflected or radiated wavelength characteristic), and the wavelength characteristics of the display areas in the arrangement are combined to form a unit for displaying information.

Abstract: Authenticating an object includes marking the object with a mark containing at least two markers wherein each marker fluoresces when illuminated with one of UV and IR, but does not fluoresce when illuminated with visible light. The marking may be in the form of a bar code containing a number or alphanumeric codes uniquely identifying the object to be marked with the particular mixture of markers used. A spectral analysis of the marking ink or the code is used to define spectral peaks for use as part of the authentication signature. The authentication signature may be defined using the identified peaks and logical conditions imposed upon them such as minimum threshold amplitude values and ratio values among peaks.

Abstract: A code reader for color images, which can simultaneously accept a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code and data of a color image of a subject for management and which can record both the data in mapping with each other, is provided. The code reader comprises color image pickup means for picking up a code and also a color image of a subject for management as is specified by identification information contained in the code; code-recognizing-data extraction means for extracting luminance data from the color image data picked up by the color image pickup means, and for writing gray scale data into a first frame memory as data for recognizing the code; and recorded-image extraction means for extracting color data from the color image data picked up by the color image pickup means, and for writing the color data into a second frame memory as data for the original image of the subject for management.

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: Systems and methods for generating graphical bar codes (i.e., images that contain inconspicuous graphical modulations that encode embedded information) by halftoning with embedded graphical encoding are described. In one aspect, a graphical bar code is generated by halftoning regions of an original image. The original image regions incorporate errors diffused among regions of the original image and computed based at least in part upon modulations in the graphical bar code corresponding to a graphical encoding of a message. In another aspect, a graphical bar code is decoded by generating a base image having halftone regions representative of an original image. Regions of the base image are compared probabilistically to a set of graphical code words to obtain a sequence of graphical code words corresponding to a graphical encoding of a message. The sequence of graphical code words is decoded to produce a decoded message.

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: A color symbology, such as a bar code symbology, employs three or more colors to encode elements of one or more integer-widths. A light source or an appropriate filter of a color matched to one color of the symbology produces peaks in a reflectance signal produced from a light sensor, which receives light reflected from the symbol. Another, unmatched, color in the symbology produces valleys in the reflectance profile. A third or intermediate color produces a reflectance signal in a middle portion of the reflectance profile. By identifying the peaks and valleys in the profile, the portions corresponding to the intermediate color, may be found by measuring distances between centers of the peaks and valleys in the reflectance profile. As a result, all elements, of all colors in the symbol, may be decoded using a simple data collection reader, such as a laser scanner, employing only a single color laser.

Abstract: A technique of forming a bar of a bar code on print media by a printing device having a plurality of colorants. Each one of the individual bars has a leading edge and a trailing edge that help to define a central region of the bar. The relative locations of the leading edge and trailing edge are determined and a first colorant, usually black, is deposited at the leading edge. A composite of the first colorant, and the other printhead colorants, are deposited in the central region while the first colorant is deposited at the trailing edge. A bar of a bar code produced by this technique has a clearly defined leading and trailing edge for bar code readers to measure while the central region of the bar includes a composite of colorants.

Abstract: An optical target (1) including a positioning sub target (2) for determining position, and a plurality of identifying sub targets (3) for identifying one optical target (1) from another, each of which plurality of identifying sub targets (3) is a different color from the positioning sub target (2).

Abstract: A symbol reader employs an optical element having first and second optical axes positioned to image a same portion of a color coded symbol onto two different portions of an image sensor. The reader includes one or more filters to remove different color portions of the light reflected from the symbol to create color separations at the image sensor. Thus, the image sensor detects different intensities of light, corresponding to different color states. A comparator, such as a microprocessor, programmed general purposed computer, or digital logic circuit, can determine the position and color of the various symbol elements based on image data produced by the image sensors, and decode the color coded symbol.

Abstract: A label for a component is provided with a continuous color tone background at least in segments of the label that can be detected as to a configuration using selected colored light sources which reflect from the different color tones of the label. A sensor can be used for discriminating between the reflection patterns from the light sources. A continuous color tone on the label changing smoothly from one color to others is applied to make a uniform shading from one color at one end of the label to another color at a second end, with various colors between the two ends. As an added feature, a number of black appearing strips forming a bar code can be provided on the label, with some of the strips reflecting infrared light and others not reflecting infrared light, so an infrared detector can be utilized for determining the pattern of the bar code for further identification of the labeled component. The bar code pattern will not be identifiable with the naked eye.

Abstract: A bar code reader for reading a bar code 30 composed of a plurality of white bars and a plurality of black bars, includes a generating unit 8 for generating bar width values respectively showing a width of the read bars, a judging unit 12 for judging based on the bar width values whether or not the read bar code satisfies a predetermined standard condition, and a converting unit 12 for converting the read bars into a plurality of bars in which a black-and-white-inverted bar is interposed between the conversion-target color bars. If the judging unit judges that the bar code does not satisfy the predetermined standard condition, the converting unit converts any one of the white and black bars constituting the bar code, and thereafter the judging unit makes a re-judgement. The bar code reader is capable of demodulating the bar code which has been abnormally read by presuming and compensating the bars read apparently as a single bar to a plurality of bars.

Abstract: A machine readable assaying system comprising a test card having machine readable assaying means. A plurality of individual analysis strips, each strip comprising antibodies and/or reagents capable of indicating the positive presence of distinct illicit substances form a pattern of elements including one or more fixed strips and one or more blank regions. The detection of the presence of a particular substance or drug will result in one or more of the analysis strips changing from a first (light reflective) color to a second darker (light absorbent) color. The pattern of analysis strips, fixed strips and blank regions may be provided to encode one or more characters/digits of information. By the inclusion of the analysis strips with the plurality of fixed strips and blank regions, the detection of one or more illicit substances may alter the overall pattern of fixed and test strips and blank regions, and hence cause the encoded information represented thereby to be altered.