Patent US5869828A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5869828A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Color and shape system for encoding and decoding data
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-04-02
•
Granted: 1999-02-09
•
Expires: 2016-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A color code system for encoding information on products and other substrates. The color code is printed by a color printer using single intensity colors in specific shapes aligned side by side successively. The code is predetermined. The code can be read by a video device and decode by a computer. The present invention allows for densely packed encoded information in a small space that can be cheaply and easily read and decoded.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip Yale Braginsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/12; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A machine readable code for representing data comprising: at least one background frame region each of a specific shape and each of a single intensity color; at least one marking window element each of a specific shape and each of a single intensity color other than the background frame region and placed on the background frame region; wherein the position, shape, and color of the marking window elements with respect to the background frame region, defines information to be encoded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A machine readable code for representing data comprising: at least one background frame region each of a specific shape and each of a single intensity color; at least one marking window element each of a specific shape and each of a single intensity color other than the background frame region and placed on the background frame region; wherein the position, shape, and color of the marking window elements with respect to the background frame region, defines information to be encoded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine readable code for representing data as in claim 1 wherein: the background frame region and the marking window element are separated by an outline around the marking window element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A machine readable code for representing data as in claim 1 wherein: at least one background frame region is separated from the other background frame regions by an outline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A machine readable code for representing data as in claim 1 wherein: the code is one-dimensional.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A machine readable code for representing data as in claim 1 wherein: the code is two-dimensional.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
An encoding and decoding system comprising: a printing means for printing one or more color code patterns, each of a specific shaped background frame of a single intensity color marked by one or more marking window elements, each of a specific shape and single intensity color other than the background frame, and arranged in successive spaces which are disposed side by side, wherein the position, shape, and color of one or more of the marking window elements with respect to the background frame region defines information to be encoded; a reader for reading matter printed by said printing means; and decision means for deciding content of the code pattern read by the reader.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
113 words
An encoding and decoding system comprising: a printing means for printing one or more color code patterns, each of a specific shaped background frame of a single intensity color marked by one or more marking window elements, each of a specific shape and single intensity color other than the background frame, and arranged in successive spaces which are disposed side by side, wherein the position, shape, and color of one or more of the marking window elements with respect to the background frame region defines information to be encoded; a reader for reading matter printed by said printing means; and decision means for deciding content of the code pattern read by the reader.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The printing means as in claim 6 wherein: said printing means is an ink jet printer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The printing means as in claim 6 wherein: said printing means is a laser printer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The printing means as in claim 6 wherein: said printing means is a paint gun.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The reader as in claim 6 wherein: the reader is a video camera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The decision means as in claim 6 wherein: the decision means is a computer.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of encoding and decoding data comprising: marking on a substrate at least one specifically shaped background frame region, each of a single intensity color; marking a background frame region with at least one marking window element, each of a specific shape and each of a single intensity color, other than the background frame region, wherein the position, shape, and color of the background frame regions and marking window elements with respect to each other defines the information that is encoded; reading the markings on the substrate by a reading means; and deciding content of the markings by a deciding means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of encoding and decoding data comprising: marking on a substrate at least one specifically shaped background frame region, each of a single intensity color; marking a background frame region with at least one marking window element, each of a specific shape and each of a single intensity color, other than the background frame region, wherein the position, shape, and color of the background frame regions and marking window elements with respect to each other defines the information that is encoded; reading the markings on the substrate by a reading means; and deciding content of the markings by a deciding means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2612994A
Cited
US3663801A
Cited
US3684868A
Cited
US3818191A
Cited
US3798421A
Cited
US4009466A
Cited
US4044227A
Cited
US4488679A
Cited
US4939674A
Cited
US5406640A
Cited
US5369261A
Cited
US5426289A
Cited
US5576528A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-08 | 2002-08-10 | 2003-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-08 | 2006-08-10 | 2007-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-08 | 2010-08-10 | 2011-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |