U.S. patent application number 11/987888 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-04 for method for identifying and authenticating goods using codes, bar codes and radio frequency identification.
This patent application is currently assigned to International Barcode Corporation. Invention is credited to Allen Lubow.
Application Number | 20080296362 11/987888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46303463 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080296362 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lubow; Allen |
December 4, 2008 |
Method for identifying and authenticating goods using codes, bar
codes and radio frequency identification
Abstract
Methods are provided for identifying and authenticating goods. A
code or checksum based on information or an image relating to a
good is derived and associated with a barcode to include on a
label. The label is scanned by a recipient to authenticate the
goods. Scanable code are provided based on an image by distilling
an image into its hue components and using a grid to create a
pattern. The pattern is readable by a scanner to obtain a code
directly, or by consulting a look-up table. The code, barcode,
digital barcode or scanable code can be included on a label or tag,
such as an RFID tag.
Inventors: |
Lubow; Allen; (Brooklyn,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVIDSON BERQUIST JACKSON & GOWDEY LLP
4300 WILSON BLVD., 7TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22203
US
|
Assignee: |
International Barcode
Corporation
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
46303463 |
Appl. No.: |
11/987888 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11008785 |
Dec 8, 2004 |
7322514 |
|
|
11987888 |
|
|
|
|
10497636 |
Nov 3, 2004 |
7108186 |
|
|
PCT/US02/38558 |
Dec 2, 2002 |
|
|
|
11008785 |
|
|
|
|
60334570 |
Nov 30, 2001 |
|
|
|
60528046 |
Dec 8, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/375 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 1/18 20130101; G06K
19/08 20130101; G06K 19/14 20130101; G06K 19/06009 20130101; G06K
19/06028 20130101; G06K 7/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/375 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/00 20060101
G06F017/00 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A method of facilitating the authentication of items,
comprising: associating a machine-readable symbol with one or more
items to be authenticated; and associating a memory and a
transceiver with the one or more items, wherein the memory is
coupled to the transceiver, and wherein the memory stores an image
of the machine-readable symbol.
17. A method of authenticating items, comprising: obtaining a first
code based on a first machine-readable symbol associated with one
or more items; processing an image of a second machine
readable-symbol stored in a memory to obtain a second code, wherein
the memory is coupled to a transceiver and both are associated with
the one or more items; and determining the authenticity of the one
or more items based on the first and second codes.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein determining the
authenticity of the one or more items comprises determining whether
the first code matches the second code.
19. A method of facilitating the authentication of items,
comprising: associating a machine-readable symbol and an image with
one or more items to be authenticated; and associating a memory and
a transceiver with the one or more items, wherein the memory is
coupled to the transceiver, and wherein the memory stores the
machine-readable symbol and the image.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the machine-readable
symbol comprises machine-readable data.
21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the machine-readable
symbol comprises a machine-readable symbol image.
22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the transceiver
transmits the stored machine-readable symbol and image to a
receiver for authentication.
23. A method of authenticating items, comprising: processing a
machine-readable symbol stored in a memory to obtain a first code,
wherein the memory is coupled to a transceiver and both are
associated with the one or more items; processing an image stored
in the memory to obtain a second code; and determining the
authenticity of the one or more items based on the first and second
codes.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein determining the
authenticity of the one or more items comprises determining whether
the first code matches the second code.
25. The method according to claim 23, wherein obtaining the first
code comprises reading the machine-readable symbol.
26-30. (canceled)
31. A method of obtaining data from an image, comprising:
processing color characteristics of one or more pixels of a first
image to obtain a second image; and interpreting the second image
as a machine-readable symbol to thereby obtain a code from the
second image.
32. The method according to claim 31, wherein interpreting the
second image as a machine-readable symbol comprises interpreting
the second image as a bar code.
33. The method according to claim 32, wherein interpreting the
second image as a bar code comprises interpreting the second image
as a bar code according to a bar code format comprising a plurality
of patterns and corresponding values where each of the plurality of
patterns of the bar code format has a corresponding value.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein interpreting the second image
as a bar code comprises interpreting the second image as at least
part of a two-dimensional bar code.
35. A method of facilitating the authentication of items,
comprising: obtaining a machine-readable symbol based on an image
by processing color characteristics of one or more pixels of the
image; and associating the image and the machine-readable symbol
with one or more items to be authenticated.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein obtaining a machine-readable
symbol based on an image comprises obtaining a bar code based on an
image.
37. The method according to claim 36, wherein obtaining a bar code
based on an image comprises obtaining at least part of a
two-dimensional bar code from an image.
38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising generating
a second bar code encoding data related to the two-dimensional bar
code, and wherein associating the image and the machine-readable
symbol with one or more items to be authenticated comprises
associating the two-dimensional bar code and the second bar code
with the one or more items so that the two-dimensional bar code and
the second bar code form a composite bar code.
39. A method of authenticating of items, comprising: obtaining a
first machine-readable symbol based on an image associated with one
or more items by processing color characteristics of one or more
pixels of the image; and determining the authenticity of the one or
more items based on the first machine-readable symbol and a second
machine-readable symbol associated with the one or more items.
40. The method according to claim 39, wherein determining the
authenticity of the one or more items comprises: obtaining a first
code from the first machine-readable symbol; obtaining a second
code from the second machine-readable symbol; and determining the
authenticity of the one or more items based on the first and second
codes.
41. The method according to claim 39, wherein obtaining the first
machine-readable symbol based on the image comprises obtaining a
first bar code based on the image, and wherein the second
machine-readable symbol comprises a second bar code.
42. The method according to claim 41, wherein obtaining the first
bar code based on the image comprises obtaining a two-dimensional
bar code from the image, wherein the two-dimensional bar code and
the second bar code form a composite bar code, and wherein
determining the authenticity of the one or more items comprises
determining whether the second bar code corresponds to the
two-dimensional bar code.
43. A method of facilitating the authentication of items,
comprising: obtaining a machine-readable symbol based on an image
by processing color characteristics of one or more pixels of the
image; obtaining a code based on the machine-readable symbol;
storing the code in a memory device coupled to a transceiver
device; and associating the image, the memory device, and the
transceiver device with one or more items to be authenticated.
43. A method of authenticating items, comprising: obtaining a
machine-readable symbol based on an image associated with one or
more items by processing color characteristics of one or more
pixels of the image; obtaining a first code based on the
machine-readable symbol; obtaining a second code from a memory
device associated with the one or more items, wherein the memory
device is coupled to a transceiver device associated with the one
or more items; and determining the authenticity of the one or more
items based on the first and second codes.
44. The method according to claim 43, wherein determining the
authenticity of the one or more items comprises determining whether
the first code matches the second code.
45. A method of facilitating the authentication of items,
comprising: obtaining a machine-readable symbol based on a first
image by processing color characteristics of one or more pixels of
the first image; storing an image of the machine-readable symbol in
a memory device coupled to a transceiver device; and associating
the image of the machine readable symbol, the memory device, and
the transceiver device with one or more items to be
authenticated.
46. A method of authenticating items, comprising: obtaining a first
machine-readable symbol based on an image associated with one or
more items by processing color characteristics of one or more
pixels of the image; obtaining a second machine-readable symbol
from a memory device associated with the one or more items, wherein
the memory device is coupled to a transceiver device associated
with the one or more items; determining the authenticity of the one
or more items based on the first and second machine-readable
symbols.
47. The method according to claim 46, wherein determining the
authenticity of the one or more items comprises: obtaining a first
code from the first machine-readable symbol; obtaining a second
code from the second machine-readable symbol; and determining the
authenticity of the one or more items based on the first and second
codes.
48. A method of generating scanable code based on an image, the
method comprising: processing color characteristics of one or more
pixels associated with the image; and obtaining a first code for
the one or more pixels, wherein the first code corresponds to a
second code associated with a machine-readable symbol.
49. The method according to claim 48, wherein the second code is
generated by applying the first code to a look-up table associated
with the machine-readable symbol.
50. The method according to claim 48, further comprising adding a
first indicator symbol for indicating a starting point for scanning
the image, and adding a second indicator symbol for indicating an
end point for scanning the image.
51. The method according to claim 48, further comprising applying
the generated scanable code to the one or more items.
52. The method according to claim 48, wherein processing the color
characteristics of the one or more pixels comprises varying the hue
values of the one or more pixels such that hue values comprising
more than 50% gray black are converted to hue values representing
black, and the hue values comprising more less than 50% gray white
are converted to hue values representing white.
53. The method according to claim 52, wherein the one or more
pixels converted to hue values representing black are encoded as a
first code value and the one or more pixels converted to hue values
representing white are encoded as a second code value.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the
benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 from patent application Ser. No.
10/497,636, which is a national stage application of and claims the
benefit under U.S.C. .sctn. 365(a) from international application
no. PCT/US02/38558, filed Dec. 2, 2002, which claims the benefit
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) from provisional patent application
No. 60/334,570, filed Nov. 30, 2001. The contents of the
aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference herein in
their entirety. The present application also claims the benefit
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) from provisional patent application
No. 60/528,046, filed Dec. 8, 2003, the contents of which is
incorporated by reference herein its entirety.
COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL NOTICES
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Radio Frequency Data Communications ("RFDC") is a technology
that provides wireless interactive and real-time updates of
inventory, shipments, or manufacturing applications over local-area
and wide-area networked applications. Five frequently cited
benefits to using RFDC are increased database accuracy at all
times, reduced paperwork, real-time operations, higher
productivity, and shorter order response times. RFDC is a
communications technology for automatic identification and data
capture that is typically used in tracking commercial goods, for
example, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and logistics
management. RFDC is often used with bar code scanning, or Radio
Frequency Identification ("RFID") to direct receiving, storage,
retrieval, physical inventories, order picking, pickslot
replenishment, shipping, tracking returns, labeling, and other
applications. RFDC is also used on the factory floor for
applications such as work-in-process tracking, and labeling, and in
hospitals for tracking pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. On the
retail side, radio frequency terminals are increasingly used for
price verification, order entry at point of sale, and direct store
delivery.
[0004] The most common approach to radio frequency implementation
uses wireless terminals (either handheld or vehicle-mounted) that
include a radio transmitter/receiver, keyboard, LCD display, and
usually a bar code scanner. The terminals communicate with the
master radio transceiver, also known as base station or wireless
gateway, which receives and routes messages from the individual
terminals to the radio frequency network controller, and also
routes messages such as instructions and exceptions from the host
system to the terminals.
[0005] Bar code technology is currently over thirty years old with
various symbologies in use. The various symbologies include
different standards and guidelines for use which optimize various
features of the different symbologies for use in different
applications. Examples of bar codes include: postal bar code which
has tall and short bars, Interleaved Two of Five bar code which is
typically used for printing on corrugated cartons, and Reduced
Space Symbology ("RSS") bar code, which is a form of
two-dimensional bar code.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Methods are provided for identifying and authenticating
goods. In one embodiment, a method is provided for authenticating
goods including receiving a code based on information associated
with the good. For example, the information is affixed to a label
placed on the good. The information may be related to the good,
such as information generally used in manufacturing, tracking,
shipping, receiving or selling goods, such as product information
or product photographs, or other information. The code is received,
obtained or generated, for example, using methods including
checksum algorithms, sum of known points, or other authentication
methods. The code is associated with a barcode, for example, the
code is added to the barcode. A label including the information on
the barcode and associated code is associated with the good, for
example, it is affixed thereto. A recipient receiving goods having
the associated label can read or scan the label and verify that the
goods and information related to the goods on the label is accurate
by comparing the code. The recipient scans the associated
information to derive the code, and compares the code with the code
included on the label to determine whether the codes match.
[0007] Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for
generating scanable code based on an image. The method includes
distilling an image based on hue components of the image. The image
is distilled, or converted or reduced by setting a high-contrast on
the image, such that the pixels of the image are reduced to all
black, all white or all gray. A grid is superimposed over the
resulting black and white, or black, white and gray image,
providing squares which make a pattern. Each possible pattern is
associated with a character. Guard bars are placed at a start and
end point on the pattern, which indicates to a scanner which
sections of the pattern to read. A recipient can scan the image and
obtain the data provided in the patterns.
[0008] Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a method
for generating scanable code based on an image. The method includes
distilling an image based on hue components of the image,
overlaying a grid over the distilled image to create a pattern,
inserting guard bars to indicate a start and end point on the
pattern, as described herein. Each pattern has a corresponding
character obtained in a look-up table which can be used to generate
a corresponding code. A scanner can read the code and reference the
look-up table to obtain the corresponding character.
[0009] Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for
identifying a good including encoding barcode information in a
digital format and storing the digital barcode into an RFID tag.
The barcode information can be obtained to identify a good using an
RFID scanner, or other reader. Another embodiment of the invention
provides authentication of the good, and includes obtaining a code,
such as a checksum, based on information related to the good, and
storing the code on the RFID tag. The RFID scanner or other reader
can identify the good and/or simultaneously authenticate the good
by verifying that the code or checksum matches the information.
[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of facilitating the authentication of items is provided. The
method comprises obtaining a code based on an image, and
associating the image and a machine-readable symbol comprising the
code with one or more items to be authenticated.
[0011] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the machine-readable symbol is a bar code such as a Reduced Space
Symbology (RSS) bar code.
[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the image is a photograph, and/or textual information.
[0013] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of authenticating items is provided. The method comprises
obtaining a first code based on an image associated with one or
more items. A second code is obtained based on a machine-readable
symbol also associated with the one or more items. The authenticity
of the one or more items is determined based on the first and
second codes, wherein determining the authenticity of the one or
more items comprises determining whether the first code matches the
second code.
[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
symbol is provided for facilitating the authentication of one or
more items. The symbol comprises an image associated with the one
or more items. A machine-readable symbol is associated with the one
or more items, whereby the machine-readable symbol includes a code
that is based on the image.
[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the image comprises a first and a second guard bar for reading the
first code associated with the image.
[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the image comprises a photograph, a portrait, textual
information.
[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the machine-readable symbol comprises a Reduced Space Symbology
(RSS) bar code.
[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the machine-readable symbol comprises data associated shipping
information, inventory information, invoice information, product
type information, purchase order information, and/or signature
information.
[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the symbol further comprises a label including the machine-readable
symbol and image formed thereon for application to the one or more
items.
[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of facilitating the authentication of items is provided,
where the method comprises associating a machine-readable symbol
with one or more items to be authenticated. A memory and a
transceiver are also associated with the one or more items, whereby
the memory is coupled to the transceiver. The memory stores an
image of the machine-readable symbol.
[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of authenticating items is provided. The method comprises
obtaining a first code based on a first machine-readable symbol
associated with one or more items. An image of a second machine
readable-symbol is processed and stored in a memory to obtain a
second code. The memory is coupled to a transceiver and both are
associated with the one or more items. The authenticity of the one
or more items is determined based on the first and second
codes.
[0022] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
determining the authenticity of the one or more items comprises
determining whether the first code matches the second code.
[0023] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of facilitating the authentication of items is provided. The
method comprises associating a machine-readable symbol and an image
with one or more items to be authenticated. A memory and a
transceiver are also associated with the one or more items, where
the memory is coupled to the transceiver. The memory stores the
machine-readable symbol and the image.
[0024] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the machine-readable symbol comprises machine-readable data.
[0025] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the machine-readable symbol comprises a machine-readable symbol
image.
[0026] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the transceiver transmits the stored machine-readable symbol and
image to a receiver for authentication.
[0027] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of authenticating items is provided. The method comprises
processing a machine-readable symbol stored in a memory to obtain a
first code, whereby the memory is coupled to a transceiver. The
memory and transceiver are associated with the one or more items.
An image stored in the memory is processed in order to obtain a
second code. The authenticity of the one or more items is
determined based on the first and second codes, whereby the
authenticity of the one or more items is determined by whether the
first code matches the second code.
[0028] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
obtaining the first code comprises reading the machine-readable
symbol.
[0029] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of facilitating the authentication of items is provided. The
method comprises obtaining a code based on an image that comprises
a plurality of regions, whereby the code is related to at least one
of the plurality of regions. The image and a machine-readable
symbol comprising the code are associated with one or more items to
be authenticated.
[0030] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the code comprises a checksum.
[0031] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the code comprises encoding one or more pixels associated with the
plurality of regions.
[0032] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of authenticating items is provided. The method comprises
obtaining a first code based on an image associated with one or
more items, where the image comprises a plurality of regions and
the first code is related to at least one of the plurality of
regions. A second code is obtained based on a machine-readable
symbol associated with the one or more items. The authenticity of
the one or more items is determined based on the first and second
codes.
[0033] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
determining the authenticity of the one or more items comprises
determining whether the first code matches the second code.
[0034] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of obtaining data from an image is provided. The method
comprises processing color characteristics of one or more pixels of
a first image to obtain a second image. The second image is
interpreted as a machine-readable symbol to thereby obtain a code
from the second image.
[0035] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
interpreting the second image as a machine-readable symbol
comprises interpreting the second image as a bar code.
[0036] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
interpreting the second image as a bar code comprises interpreting
the second image as a bar code according to a bar code format
comprising a plurality of patterns and corresponding values where
each of the plurality of patterns of the bar code format has a
corresponding value.
[0037] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
interpreting the second image as a bar code comprises interpreting
the second image as at least part of a two-dimensional bar
code.
[0038] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of facilitating the authentication of items is provided. The
method comprises obtaining a machine-readable symbol based on an
image by processing color characteristics of one or more pixels of
the image. The image and the machine-readable symbol are associated
with one or more items to be authenticated.
[0039] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
obtaining a machine-readable symbol based on an image comprises
obtaining a bar code based on an image.
[0040] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
obtaining a bar code based on an image comprises obtaining at least
part of a two-dimensional bar code from an image.
[0041] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the method further comprises generating a second bar code encoding
data related to the two-dimensional bar code. Associating the image
and the machine-readable symbol with one or more items to be
authenticated comprises associating the two-dimensional bar code
and the second bar code with the one or more items so that the
two-dimensional bar code and the second bar code form a composite
bar code.
[0042] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of authenticating of items is provided. The method comprises
obtaining a first machine readable symbol based on an image
associated with one or more items by processing color
characteristics of one or more pixels of the image. The
authenticity of the one or more items is determined based on the
first machine-readable symbol and a second machine-readable symbol
associated with the one or more items. Determining the authenticity
of the one or more items comprises obtaining a first code from the
first machine-readable symbol, obtaining a second code from the
second machine-readable symbol, and determining the authenticity of
the one or more items based on the first and second codes.
[0043] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
obtaining the first machine-readable symbol based on the image
comprises obtaining a first bar code based on the image. The second
machine-readable symbol comprises a second bar code.
[0044] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
obtaining the first bar code based on the image comprises obtaining
a two-dimensional bar code from the image, where the two
dimensional bar code and the second bar code form a composite bar
code. Determining the authenticity of the one or more items
comprises determining whether the second bar code corresponds to
the two dimensional bar code.
[0045] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of facilitating the authentication of items is provided. The
method comprises obtaining a machine-readable symbol based on an
image by processing color characteristics of one or more pixels of
the image. A code is obtained based on the machine-readable symbol,
where the code is stored in a memory device coupled to a
transceiver device. The image, the memory device, and the
transceiver device are associated with one or more items to be
authenticated.
[0046] According to another embodiment of the present invention is
provided, a method of authenticating items is provided. The method
comprises obtaining a machine readable symbol based on an image
associated with one or more items by processing color
characteristics of one or more pixels of the image. A first code is
obtained based on the machine-readable symbol. A second code is
obtained from a memory device associated with the one or more
items, where the memory device is coupled to a transceiver device
associated with the one or more items. The authenticity of the one
or more items is determined based on the first and second
codes.
[0047] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
determining the authenticity of the one or more items comprises
determining whether the first code matches the second code.
[0048] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of facilitating the authentication of items is provided. The
method comprises obtaining a machine-readable symbol based on a
first image by processing color characteristics of one or more
pixels of the first image. An image of the machine-readable symbol
stored in a memory device coupled to a transceiver device. The
image of the machine-readable symbol, the memory device, and the
transceiver device are associated with one or more items to be
authenticated.
[0049] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of authenticating items is provided. The method comprises
obtaining a first machine-readable symbol based on an image
associated with one or more items by processing color
characteristics of one or more pixels of the image. A second
machine-readable symbol is obtained from a memory device associated
with the one or more items, where the memory device is coupled to a
transceiver device associated with the one or more items. The
authenticity of the one or more items is determined based on the
first and second machine-readable symbols.
[0050] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
determining the authenticity of the one or more items comprises:
obtaining a first code from the first machine readable symbol;
obtaining a second code from the second machine-readable symbol;
and determining the authenticity of the one or more items based on
the first and second codes.
[0051] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of generating scanable code based on an image is provided.
The method comprises processing color characteristics of one or
more pixels associated with the image. A first code is obtained for
the one or more pixels, where the first code corresponds to a
second code associated with a machine-readable symbol.
[0052] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the second code is generated by applying the first code to a
look-up table associated with the machine-readable symbol.
[0053] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the method further comprises adding a first indicator symbol for
indicating a starting point for scanning the image, and adding a
second indicator symbol for indicating an end point for scanning
the image.
[0054] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the method further comprises applying the generated scanable code
to the one or more items.
[0055] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
processing the color characteristics of the one or more pixels
comprises varying the hue values of the one or more pixels such
that hue values comprising more than 50% gray black are converted
to hue values representing black, and the hue values comprising
more less than 50% gray white are converted to hue values
representing white.
[0056] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the one or more pixels converted to hue values representing black
are encoded as a first code value and the one or more pixels
converted to hue values representing white are encoded as a second
code value.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0057] The invention is illustrated in the figures of the
accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not
limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or
corresponding parts, and in which:
[0058] FIG. 1 depicts a flowchart of a method according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0059] FIG. 2 depicts a label according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0060] FIG. 3 depicts a label according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0061] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a method according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0062] FIG. 5 depicts a converted image according to an embodiment
of the invention;
[0063] FIG. 6A depicts a blown up view of a section of the image of
FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0064] FIG. 6B depicts a blown up view of a section of the image of
FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0065] FIG. 7 depicts a converted image and superimposed grid
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0066] FIG. 8 depicts a label according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0067] FIG. 9 depicts a label according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0068] FIG. 10A depicts a label according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0069] FIG. 10B depicts a label according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0070] FIG. 11 depicts a grid with pixel sprites according to an
embodiment of the invention; and
[0071] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method according to an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0072] Preferred embodiments of the invention are now described
with reference to the drawings. In general, a shipment of goods is
sent from a place of origin to its destination with accompanying
paperwork and other information. Typically, a limited amount of
information is incorporated into a barcode label placed on the
goods, and other information is included in an attached packing
slip. Some of the types of information relating to goods includes:
product type, origin and destination address, or other information
such as identification numbers for an invoice, purchase order,
shipment or lot number, date, shipment storage, use and tracking
information.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 1 which depicts a method for
authenticating goods according to an embodiment of the invention. A
code is received, step 50. The code is derived from associated
information which may be related to the good, as described herein,
such as the item number 120 or associated image 125 shown in FIGS.
2 and 3. FIGS. 2 and 3 depict a label 100 according to an
embodiment of the invention. Other associated information may be
information related to shipping, tracking, inventory, orders,
invoices, tariffs, photographs, fingerprints, product type,
regulations, passport, legal documents, building pass, barcodes or
other information in text, image or other digital format.
[0074] It is understood that the item number 120 or associated
image 125 as shown on the label 100 may be an alphanumeric
combination, image or other identifier readable by humans, and/or
identifier readable by a scanner or reader. In preferred
embodiments, the code is based on all of the information associated
with the goods that is printed on a label or otherwise accompanies
the good, or a portion of the information associated with the
goods. For example, when a code is derived from a signature or
fingerprint, any or all portions of the signature or image may be
used. When the code is derived from an image, such as a portrait,
all of the image may be used to derive the code, or detail rich
portions, such as the eyes, may be used to derive the code. The
code may be a checksum, sum of all known points, or other code
representing information placed on a label. The checksum or code
may be obtained by methods known in the art, such as checksum
algorithms, hash algorithms, multipliers or other methods for
obtaining codes representing information.
[0075] The code is associated with a barcode, step 60. The code is
associated with a barcode, for example, by converting the code into
barcode format, as shown on the goods label 100 of FIGS. 2 and 3.
Types of barcodes depicted on FIGS. 2 and 3 include two-dimensional
composite code 130 shown in Micro PDF417 format and RSS linear
barcode 140. Additionally, the code may be associated with a
barcode in human readable form 150, which provides the data
indicated in the barcode in a human readable format. A label is
created including the code and associated barcode, step 70 and
associated with the good, e.g. by affixing the label to the good.
In preferred embodiments, the label includes the data depicted on
label 100 of FIGS. 2 and 3, including the information related to
the good and the code associated with the information related to
the good in barcode format.
[0076] A recipient of goods bearing label 100 authenticates the
goods by scanning or reading the associated information on the
label to derive the code, scanning the barcode including the code,
and comparing the codes to authenticate the goods. Matching codes
indicate that the label is unaltered. A mismatched code would
indicate that the label had been altered. In preferred embodiments,
the scanner or reader would provide a signal in the event of a
mismatched code, for example, an audible beep.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 4, which depicts a method for generating a
barcode according to an embodiment of the invention, an image is
distilled, step 200, based on hue components of the image by, for
example, a scanner programmed to perform this distillation or a
computer that receives the image (e.g., from a scanner) and is
programmed to perform this distillation. The distilled image may be
retained in the memory of a scanner or a computer for further
processing, as described below.
[0078] For example, an image is converted using a high contrast
setting to obtain a black and white image, or a black white and
gray image based on color or hue ratios contained in the image.
More specifically, areas having color or hue values of more than
50% gray black become black and areas having color or hue values
below 50% gray white are white. In another embodiment, areas having
color or hue values of more than 33.3% gray black become black,
areas having color or hue values below 33.3% gray white are white,
and areas having color or hue values below 33.3% gray black and
above 33.3% gray white are gray. An example of a converted image is
depicted in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B. FIG. 5 is a converted image of the
associated image 125 of FIG. 3 such that the image of FIG. 5
contains only black and white pixels, and not the grayscale of the
associated image 125 as shown in FIG. 3. A portion 250 of FIG. 5 is
shown in a blown up view in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0079] In preferred embodiments, the portion 250 shown in FIG. 6B
contains key predefined pixels. Key predefined pixels are elements
of an image which are selected as representative elements of the
image to be scanned. For example, detail-rich areas of the image,
such as the eyes on a portrait, are pre-selected to be scanable by
the scanner. Although it is preferable to convert an entire image
into a scanable image, the resulting data may overwhelm
conventional scanners. To limit the volume of data associated with
a scanable image, key predefined pixels are provided. As shown in
FIG. 6B, there are three key predefined pixels. It is understood
that there can be greater than three key predefined pixels.
Information related to identifying the key predefined pixels can be
communicated to a recipient, or otherwise indicated on the label or
other documentation.
[0080] A grid may be laid over the converted image of FIG. 5, step
210. In preferred embodiments, the grid is at least 32.times.32 as
shown in FIG. 7. It is understood that the grid can be in the range
of 6.times.6 to 1000.times.1000 to provide pattern variations
sufficient to differentiate various images. In the example of FIG.
7, an image, using a 32.times.32 grid, can be depicted as a string
of zeroes and ones or other alphanumeric characters to represent
the image. Each square of the grid would represent a value based on
the associated image (for example black equals one, white equals
zero). A select number of points on the grid would be scanned and
their values used to construct a derivative that could be embedded
in the bar code. For example, the first row has a pattern of a
certain number of black squares, followed by several white squares
followed by further black squares. This could be represented, for
example, as "11111000000000000111." Each pattern variation refers
to a character.
[0081] Guard bars or other start and end point indicators may be
inserted, step 220, to offset the alphanumeric characters so that
barcode readers or scanners can identify a start and end point.
Guard bars 300 are shown at each side of the barcodes of FIGS. 8, 9
and 10A. The resulting converted image, overlaid grid and guard
bars may be printed on a label where they would be readable by a
scanner or reader. Also, as mentioned above, the processing above
could be performed in scanner or computer memory such that the
resulting converted image, residing in scanner or computer memory,
could be interpreted as a bar code, e.g., by software that
interprets images of patterns as bar code.
[0082] An example of the image and guard bars is shown in FIGS. 8,
9 and 10A. Referring to FIG. 8, the guard bars are buried within
the digital image and in FIG. 10A, the guard bars of RSS are
included in a stacked framing image. The converted image and guard
bars may be included in a label, which is associated with a good,
for example, by affixing the label to the good.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 10A, which depicts guard bars of RSS
stacked framing portrait, an image is converted into its black and
white components, a grid is overlaid and it can be read as patterns
of bar code in the two-dimensional composite portion of a bar code.
As mentioned above, this conversion and interpretation of the image
as a bar code may be performed by a scanner or computer programmed
to do so while the image resides in the memory of the scanner or
computer, respectively. It is understood that the resulting barcode
pattern can be any conventional barcode or the barcode of FIG. 10B
which includes a linear barcode containing color variations based
on the underlying image 370 and RSS barcode 380. The linear barcode
370 is readable by conventional barcode scanners because of the
contrast between the light and dark bars. Additionally, scanners
specially programmed to read the color gradations within the
barcode lines can read additional information contained therein.
The image is provided in a machine-readable format to allow for
scanner to automate the authentication process.
[0084] A recipient receiving the good scans the label, more
specifically, the patterns on the label between the guard bars and
obtains the characters corresponding to each pattern.
[0085] Although the invention is described with reference to black
and white patterns, or black, gray and white patterns, it is
understood that the same method may be applied to color images,
which would yield a greater number of patterns, therefore, a
greater number characteristics can be assigned to each pattern.
[0086] In another embodiment of the invention, the scanable image
generated based on the image according to the flow diagram of FIG.
4 is used together with the authentication method of FIG. 1 to
provide the information related to a good from which a code is
derived, such as a checksum or other data verification item. The
checksum can be obtained based on data contained in the entire
image, or derived from the key predefined pixels described
herein.
[0087] Referring again to FIG. 9, a scanner reads the image between
the guard bars 300. As described herein, the guard bars 300 provide
a start and end point for a scanner or reader. Within the image 310
is RSS barcode 320. RSS is a complicated barcode containing narrow
and wide bars and narrow and wide spaces. There are many
combinations of patterns in RSS, more so than the number of
characters generally sought to be represented by RSS code. At the
other end of the spectrum of capacity to represent characters in
codes, is Code 39 which represents characters 0 through 9, A
through Z and several symbols.
[0088] It should be noted that FIGS. 9 and 10A may depict different
stages of processing. FIG. 10A may depict an, image framed by guard
bars and a stacked linear bar code that may be printed on a label.
FIG. 9 may depict a bar code 320 that resides in the memory of a
scanner or computer that processes the image of FIG. 10A. For
example, the image of FIG. 10A is scanned and while the scanned
image resides in scanner or computer memory, it may be processed,
as described above, so as to convert it to bar code 320.
[0089] Another embodiment of the invention includes generating a
barcode based on patterns associated with an image, as described
herein, according to a look-up table. Each possible pattern
variation created by converting an image into its black and white,
or black, white and gray components and overlaying a grid over the
image can be associated with a character. In a preferred
embodiment, the number of possible patterns is reduced, for
example, by referring to a specified number of squares to obtain a
single pattern which corresponds to a character. A scanner reads
the converted image, or the converted image residing in scanner or
computer memory is analyzed, and based on the patterns contained in
the image, look ups may be performed to find the associated codes
in a table. The present invention provides a barcode providing a
reasonable number of characters, or a reduced set of characters, in
an alphanumeric set based on correlating patterns obtained by
converting an image to codes in a look-up table. A preferred number
of characters are 2.sup.5, or 32, representing A through Z and 0
through 5. The image is reduced to a short string of alphanumeric
characters to allow easy comparison of two scans of two digital
images.
[0090] For example, where 2.sup.5, or 32 characters are used in the
creation of a bar code, the image should comprise encoded regions
each having the same number of possible code variations than that
of the corresponding bar code characters (i.e., 32) associated with
the bar code. Therefore, for each code associated with an encoded
region of the image, based on the lookup table, there will be a
corresponding bar code character (e.g., 0-5 and A-Z). For example,
a truncated RSS-14 bar code may be associated with an image that
has been divided into a grid (e.g., 7.times.2) having no more than
14 encoded regions. The encoded region is applied to a lookup table
that in turn generates the corresponding bar code character.
Moreover, each encoded region represents the character of the bar
code. If, for example, 32 characters are used in the bar code
generation, each encoded region must have a 5-bit code word (e.g.,
"11110") to represent the 32 entries in the lookup table. For
example, each pixel having a black color may be assigned a code bit
of "1." Similarly, each pixel having a white color may be assigned
to code bit "0." Thus, each group of five pixels may represent a
character of the bar code in the given example.
[0091] Referring again to FIG. 6B, the image can be converted into
a barcode using an image with a superimposed grid of a predefined
number of squares. Each square of the grid represents a value based
on the associated image (for example black equals one, white equals
zero). In some embodiments, every element of the image is used in
the conversion to a barcode. It is preferable to convert the entire
image into machine-readable alphanumeric strings, however, the
resulting data may overwhelm a conventional scanner. To limit the
volume of data associated with an image, in other embodiments, a
select number of points, or predefined pixels, on the grid, such as
the three key predefined pixels 350 are scanned and their values
used to construct a code based on a look up table. It is understood
that there can be more than three key predefined pixels. The key
predefined pixels may be obtained via communication between the
sender and recipient, or other means.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 11, the image of FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B is
divided into a 6.times.6 grid and each three-pixel sprite is given
a value from 0 to 7. The bar code scanner is programmed to read a
two dimensional bar code where each row is equal to the height of a
single sprite. FIG. 11 includes six tiers of bar coded information.
The image on the label would have an additional guard bar image
that would help the scanner to define the tiers, start and end
points, such as the guard bars shown in FIG. 8 on either side of
the grid.
[0093] A recipient receiving the goods having the associate label
can read or scan the code and refer to the look up table to obtain
the characters referenced in the code.
[0094] Two technologies, RFID and bar code, can have a synergistic
effect when brought together and applied to tracking, securing and
authenticating commercial items. RFID technology includes the use
of RFID tags and readers. RFID tags generally include data storage,
for example, a chip. Some RFID tags additionally include
transceivers to communicate data stored on the tag. The data
storage in RFID tags typically contains information related to the
item on which the RFID tag is placed. Communication of data between
RFID tags and a reader or scanner is typically by wireless
communication.
[0095] Referring to FIG. 12, which depicts a flowchart of a method
according to an embodiment of the invention, barcode information is
encoded into a digital format, step 400. The barcode information
can be information in a conventional barcode format, or barcode
information generated, as described herein based on an image. The
barcode information can be obtained for example, from a label on a
good or from a database, such as an inventory of goods. The barcode
information is encoded into a digital format, for example, by
reducing the barcode to a series of zero's and one's, or other
digital format. The digital barcode information is stored on an
RFID tag, step 410. The digital barcode information can then be
read by an RFID scanner. The RFID scanner reproduces the digital
barcode information into a barcode, or communicates the data to a
barcode based network or system. The goods or information related
to the goods can be identified and obtained from the tag.
[0096] In preferred embodiments, a code derived from information
associated with the goods, as described herein is received or
otherwise obtained, for example, as a checksum or other verifier,
step 420. This code is substantially the same as the code described
in reference to FIG. 1. The code is stored to the RFID tag, step
430. The resulting tag contains RFID data, digital barcode data and
an authenticating code, such as a check sum. When the tag is read,
the RFID data, digital barcode and authenticating code are compared
to verify that the tag is authentic and none of the information was
altered.
[0097] While the invention has been described and illustrated in
connection with preferred embodiments, many variations and
modifications as will be evident to those skilled in this art may
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, and the invention is thus not to be limited to the
precise details of methodology or construction set forth above as
such variations and modification are intended to be included within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *