CN1257596A - Robust machine-readable symbology and method and apparatus for printing and reading same - Google Patents

Abstract

A new bar code symbology in an exemplary embodiment employs three bars (and spaces) within nine modules, similar to Code 93. Fifty-three data characters are defined, including several special mode characters. By employing these special mode characters, together with certain routines, three symbol characters can represent two 8-bit bytes, or one 16-bit word. As a result, the symbology can efficiently encode 8-bit bytes for use in computer processing, or encode 16-bit character sets such as Unicode. Symbology encodes extended channel interpretation (ECI) numbers, provides multiple numeric compression modes, provides a structured append using a single mode character, as well as other features. Additionally, the symbology includes error correction, with a Special Features Flag character indicating use of error correction in a symbol.

Description

The durable machine-readable character system and the method and apparatus of printing and reading symbol

The present invention relates to a kind of new machine-readable character system and be used to read or print the equipment and the method for the symbol under this system.

The bar code symbol system at first by Kermode at United States Patent (USP) 1,985, open in 035, and expanded in the United States Patent (USP) 2,020,925 that was transferring Westinghouse in nineteen thirties by Young immediately afterwards.List wide element or " bar " thereby and with high reflectance element or " sky " with they interval printed symbols of these early stage symbolisms by generating many low reflectances.One " element " is a bar or sky." the bar code symbol system " of these early stage symbolisms and many current uses can be described as " linear symbol system ", because of the data in the given symbol are decoded along an axle or direction.For example the symbolism of linear symbol system is encoded to " sign character " with " data character " (for example human readable character), and they are the parallel arranged at bar and empty interval normally, thereby forms many block graphicses of only one with coding particular data character." data character " singly do not comprise human readable character, comprises the specific function character yet, for example opens, stops or shift character, and they provide certain performance data.Each only one bar, empty group or special symbol character of figure regulation in preset width, just specific data character or character.

Famous U.P.C. symbolism generally can be described as (7,2) " n, k sign indicating number ".One " n, k sign indicating number " is defined as a symbolism, and wherein each sign character has k bar and sky, and its total length is that " n " individual unit is long.Therefore, the U.P.C. symbolism is encoded to two and two skies with each sign character, and each symbol word length is 7 unit.One " unit " is the narrowest normal width unit of measuring in the bar code symbologies (list wide or empty)." normally " refers to the desired value of special parameter and do not consider misprint etc.In normal counting technology, recognizing has 6 positions conversion can occur in 7 unit, for two two skies 3 internal conversion is arranged then, can find out possible sign character number like this.Therefore, U.P.C.The quantity of only sign character of symbolism be exactly 6 get 3 the combination, this equals 20.Similarly, in sign indicating number 128 symbolisms, it is (11,3) symbolism, has 252 only sign characters can be with (10 get 5).

Be called U.P.C., EAN, the bar code symbol system of sign indicating number 11 and Codabar all is a bar code symbol system standard, their number of support digital data characters and indivedual specific character, for example "+" and "-".U.P.C. symbolism is the bar code standard, is again industrial standard, promptly it by industry member be used in (consumer lines) in the normal use, bar code standard code 39 is alphanumeric bar code symbol system standards of first exploitation.Yet it is confined to 43 characters.

Sign indicating number 93 is improvement of sign indicating number 39.Sign indicating number 93 is continuous bar code symbol systems, adopts 4 elements wide.Each sign indicating number 93 symbol has 9 unit, and they can be black also can be white (or be bar, or be sky).Each symbol in sign indicating number 93 standards comprises 33 skies (6 elements), and its total length is that 9 unit are long.Therefore the sign indicating number 93 that every symbol has 9 unit and 3 is (9,3) symbolism, and it has 56 available characters (8 get 5).For the reason of limit to limit decoding, sign indicating number 93 symbolism standards have only defined 48 only symbols, therefore can add that is opened/stop a sign indicating number at 47 characters of its character centralized definition.These 47 characters comprise numeric character 0-9, alphabetic character A-Z, some diacritics and 4 shift codes.

Computer industry uses the character code standard of itself, is called ASCII (ASCII).ASCII has stipulated that a cover comprises the character set of 128 characters and symbol.Each character is represented by one only one 7 bit codes among the ASCII.Because sign indicating number 39 and sign indicating number 93 limit the use of in being less than 50 characters, these standards are not suitable for only ground and represent each ascii character.Yet four shift codes in the sign indicating number 93 allow to represent whole 129 ascii characters uniquely with this standard.A shortcoming is to need a string two sign indicating number 93 symbols to represent single ascii character.Therefore, the barcode label that is used for representing the character that ascii character is concentrated is two double-lengths that are used for the mark of indication code 93 character set characters.

Developed new bar code symbol system for example sign indicating number 128 with the complete ascii character-set of encoding, yet these standards have certain weakness, comprising needs shift code or other prime notation to represent some character.Processing time that all these symbolisms requirements increase and expense are to handle whole ascii character-set.

The growth of computer industry has surmounted the restriction of ascii character-set.After computer market was grown up, having occurred need be with the other language of supporting not defined by ascii character-set.Developed new character set to hold the character family in the relevant language.Initial 7 bit ASCII character set expand to 8, thereby additional 128 characters or data value is provided.These 128 additional data set values (" last 128 " or " expansion ASCII ") can be illustrated in the additional character that occurs in the relevant Romanic (being French, German, Spanish etc.).In the linear symbol system unique can be with 8 bit data codings be sign indicating number 128 and " sign indicating number 53 ", the latter is described in the United States Patent (USP) 5 of present inventor by name " use durable opening/stop the wide bar code symbol system of the list with full set of characters of character and error-detecting scheme ", in 619,027.A sign indicating number 128 and sign indicating number 53 boths use single or difunctional shift character 8 bit data of encoding, and therefore require the processing time and the expense that increase, and this is because must analyze each byte value before data character of coding.

Yet, after computer market is grown up in the world, require in character set, to comprise more multilingual.Especially, thousands of only characters can be used and support to market demands one cover character set in Asia on computers.For only ground defines each such character, need 16 coding standards.

Several 16 coding standards have been developed recently, Unicode for example, J1SC-6226-1983 and some other.Unicode character code standard is a word length, evenly text and character code standard.The Unicode standard can comprise 65,536 characters of as many as, has comprised now to surpass 28,000 characters, has shone upon alphabet in the world, comprises Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Japanese, simplified Hanzi, Korea's literary composition and unsimplified Hanzi.The Unicode standard is imitated on ascii character-set.Though which kind of language of Unicode character code all be consistent be 16 long, so specify any character in any language without any need for escape sequence or control code.The Unicode character coding method is treated symbol fully comparably, and alphabetic character and tab character are so that they can be equally easily and side by side are used for the various computing machine and use.After introducing new alphabet or character, use the Unicode coded character with the expression character but do not show or the computer program of print text can keep and will not change.

New computer operating system begins to support these comprehensive 16 bit code standards, for example by the WINDOWS NT of the Microsoft in State of Washington Redmond city development.Yet the paces of computer industry are not caught up with in data acquisition industry.Still do not have system now and can easily the 16-bit computer character code be encoded to bar code symbol.Therefore need in data acquisition industry, support these 16-bit computer character standards, especially true for the bar code symbol system.

In addition, when being used to encode a lot of numeral or lowercase character, the efficient of most of alphanumeric bar code symbol system is not high.For example, when using a string tens digit of sign indicating number 93 codings, for example reflect that 26 bar codes of 26 alphabetic characters just need not.Therefore need to allow these alphanumeric bar code symbol systems more effectively to represent link digitals.In addition, most of symbolism lacks the error correction characteristics.

Whether a famous symbolism, IPC symbolism indicate another symbol adjacent with the IPC symbol and whether how much comprise the data relevant with the IPC symbol.Parity in the data set of IPC symbolism is arranged the existence that indicates this class adjacent-symbol.The IPC symbolism is a kind of tabular figures symbolism, and it is used for the uniform coding council (UCC) uses, and for example reinstates with U.P.C. symbolism one.Because the IPC symbolism is a Fixed width, the character of a codified some in a symbol.In addition, have only the numerical data character in this class symbol, to encode.Consequently the IPC symbolism is only limited to minority data acquisition application.

The present invention overcomes the above problems and provides additional advantage.In one embodiment of the invention, one group of displacement feature a string lowercase character that allows to decode effectively, numerical character and other small letter ascii character, for example for one group ten these class lowercase/numerical characters, each sign character is in 10.8 unit.

In another embodiment, can use error correction or specific characteristic sign and indicate error correction character in the symbol.The specific characteristic tab character is positioned at symbol central authorities, after thereupon with the message-length markup character.In one exemplary embodiment, the symbol that application error is proofreaied and correct comprises 5 error correction characters, and they can be proofreaied and correct two errors or three and lose in symbol.In addition, the initial sum ending of recoverable symbol, and symbol can be encoded by half.

In another embodiment, a symbolism is described a byte coding mode that can be used for equably on any byte value, thereby avoids the complicated approach with 8 and 16 codings.In the exemplary embodiment, existing symbolism is similar to sign indicating number 93 symbolisms, so sign character has only Unit 9 long.Two octets of three sign character codings.Though therefore byte require about 13.5 unit and byte value how.In the exemplary symbols system, allow further to reduce the unit number that is used for the coded data character, for example numeric string or base sign indicating number 93 data character strings.

In one embodiment of the invention, the passage that expands is explained (ECI) number coding formally.Though consequently can connect the host computer system of reader can only Anywhere in the world ground with the coded message decoding and the used basic character set of main frame or how use.16 characters are by three character representations in the exemplary symbols system, and in another pattern, two octets are represented by three sign characters.By representing two octets with three sign characters, can with the ascii data character that expands and other relatively little international character collection for example ISO series 8851-1-8859-9 formally encoded.

In the broadest sense, a kind of machine-readable character system of the invention process with a plurality of sign characters.The machine-readable character system comprises an error correction tag mark character, and it is indicated in and occurs at least one error-corrected symbols character in the class symbol character.

In addition, a kind of machine-readable character system of the invention process with a plurality of sign characters, wherein a printable symbol formed in a class symbol character.The machine-readable character system comprises a specific characteristic tag mark character that is used for indicating first function at printable symbol primary importance place.The specific characteristic tag mark indicates second function at second place place in the printable symbol.In addition, symbolism can use that a group code 93 opens and the combination of opening and stopping character that stops character and two only one identifies the symbol that its character value exceeds the character value in standard code 93 symbolisms, the symbol with error correction with have the symbol that is usually located at the contiguous relevant or symbol that accompanies of existing symbol.The method and apparatus with the read machine readable symbol is also implemented to be used to print in other embodiments of the invention such as aspect.

Fig. 1 is the example with mark of bar code symbol character, and it has prints or read human readable character in exemplary embodiment of the present;

Fig. 2 is a displaying symbol value and the relevant sign character and the table of data character in the exemplary symbols system of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows exemplary symbols character format;

The bar code symbol of Fig. 4 displayed map 1, each sign character is with its related data character mark;

Fig. 5 is the table of full ascii data character that is used for being presented at the codified of Fig. 2 symbolism;

Fig. 6 is the block diagram of bar code symbol printing device of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is the exemplary process diagram that is used for printing Fig. 6 basic step that printing device is finished of exemplary embodiment bar code symbol;

Fig. 8 is the block diagram of bar code symbol fetch equipment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is the process flow diagram of basic step that fetch equipment is finished that is used for reading Fig. 8 of exemplary embodiment bar code symbol;

Figure 10 is the schematic diagram of the 93i symbol of application error correction character;

Figure 11 has the contiguous schematic diagram of the 93i symbol of symbol together;

Figure 12 is a 93i symbol and one block diagram of two-dimensional symbol together;

Figure 13 is a 93i symbol and one block diagram of RF mark together;

Figure 14 demonstration has the 93i symbol of PDF417 symbol together that is positioned on the 93i symbol; And

Figure 15 shows the 93i symbol of sign indicating number 49 together that has the right side that is positioned at the 93i symbol.

As usually used herein, use following definition: " data character " means human readable character, comprises symbol, numerical character, alphabetic character and tab character and not readable data, for example function code, shift code etc.; " numeric string " means numerical character sequence, normally decimal number; " character code " means a sign indicating number, is generally numeral, and the set that it refers to a cover character code and corresponding data character is a data character among the ASCII for example; Wherein " 8 bit code " means an expansion ASCII character corresponding to a data character in the ASCII standard; And " 16 bit code " or " 16 character codes " means 16 character code standards for example sexadecimal or the decimal representation of a data character among the Unicode; " bar code symbol system " means and is used for the cover machine-readable character character that a sets of data character is represented on only ground; The sign indicating number that " value of symbol " means a data character in the expression bar code symbol system is serial number for example; " sign character " means the only geometric configuration or bar and the empty graphic that use in the bar code symbol system that is used for representing the particular data character; " bar code standard " means a kind of bar code symbol system that data acquisition uses institute and admit and often use (for example sign indicating number 128, yard 93); And " counting " electric signal set of only one of being produced when meaning sign character that reads corresponding to a data character in the bar code symbol system.

For example, in 16 character code standard Unicode, data character " A " is by 16 bit codes " 0041 " and the decimal system " 65 " expression of 16 systems.The value of symbol of data character " A " is " 10 " in bar code symbol system sign indicating number 93.The value of symbol 10 of sign indicating number in 93 reaches thereafter thereupon with only first wide sky, only first wide bar, only first wide sky, only first wide bar and the wide sky in Unit three corresponding to the sign character with wide the figure in two unit.The relevant counting of the printing of symbol is only one to every kind of printer generally therewith, for thermal printer, the time interval of changing between counting expression bar and the sky, the latter is used for encouraging rightly the time of heating element when temperature-sensitive paper process printer heating element, the position of its discal patch is perpendicular to the direction of mark by printer.Alternative arrangement is, when bar and mark are parallel by the direction of printer, count and signablely stress encourage which point or which heating element.

New bar code that is called " 93i " herein a kind of in the one embodiment of the invention or linear symbol the system byte of coded data and word are effectively represented each 16 bit code in any 16 character codes with only ground, with the ECI character code and the supplementary features of describing in detail are provided herein.Fig. 1 is presented at the example of the mark 101 of printing in the 93i symbolism or reading.As shown in fig. 1, mark 101 comprises a string bar code symbol with the data character coding, and prints on the corresponding human readable character under it.

The 93i symbolism is similar to sign indicating number 93.The result is 93i symbolism coded digital, alphanumeric and complete 128 ascii characters.In addition, ascii character and all international character set, for example character of representing by 16 character codes of the expansion of 93i symbolism coding.The 93i symbolism is continuous, and the symbolic construction that is adopted has 6 elements of every symbol as described belowly, 3 and 3 skies.Character in the 93i symbolism can not self-checking, and symbol lengths is variable.The 93i symbolism is used two character check characters or is adopted the error correction character alternatively.It is non-accessing cost for data that the 93i symbolism adopts Unit 37 of equivalence.Importantly the 93i symbolism allows following data character density: 5.4 unit of each digit order number, 9 unit of the sign character of each alphanumeric data, full ASCII and 13.5 unit of expansion ASCII (defining as 8,859 8 byte coded graphics character set of ISO standard) are until lowercase character string and 10.5 unit of other small letter ascii string and each Asia or 27 unit of 16 character code characters.In addition, existing symbolism support is expanded passage and is explained (ECI) agreement (below will illustrate), and with existing yard 93 symbolism safety-compliants.

Fig. 2 shows the sign character assignment of each data character in the 93i symbolism.The value of symbol of each sign character is represented on " value " hurdle among Fig. 2.As described here, value of symbol not only is used for calculating check or error correction character, and is used for the different pieces of information compression method.The alternately bar and the empty graphic of each sign character enumerated on " char " hurdle among Fig. 2, and wherein " 1 " corresponding to a unit, and " 2 " are corresponding to two unit etc.Each character is from bar." data " hurdle among Fig. 2 is represented corresponding to the master data character of each sign character or the function of sign character.As shown in Figure 2, value of symbol accordingly in value of symbol 00-46 and their corresponding sign characters and data character and sign indicating number 93 symbolisms, sign character and data character and open and stop sign character and be complementary.

In addition, the 93i symbolism adopts only one open and stop character: open character and comprise bar empty graphic 2,1,3,1,1,1 and stop character and comprise identical bar empty graphic, but also comprise additional two wide in afterbody, promptly 2,1,3,1,1,1,2.This alternately open and stop character make this symbolism be different from sign indicating number 93 symbolisms, and provide character, so that fuzzy decoding with wide element at the beginning and the end of character.Possible what is more important, two available opening and stop character allow available four kinds of dissimilar symbols to become effectively.

The first significant character type is used sign indicating number 93 to open respectively and is stopped character and begins and end up, and comprises all its character values less than 47 sign character, and each shift character has one at data character set A afterwards, B ..., the character value in the Z.Second significant character type opens character with sign indicating number 93 and begins, comprise at least one greater than 46 character value or comprise at least one shift character and after thereupon with one less than 47 and don't be A, B, the character of the value of Z, for example undefined character string in sign indicating number 93 is stopped the character ending with 93i then.

The 3rd significant character type opens character with 93i and begins, and comprises a specific characteristic sign (below will describe), and the latter is arranged in the central authorities of the sign character that can represent any data character combination of 93i symbolism, stops the character ending with sign indicating number 93 then.The 3rd significant character is the symbol of a 93i error correction.The 4th significant character type opens with 93i and stops character and begin and end up and comprise any data character to make up, but this opens/stop the existence that character combination indicates the symbol that accompanies.For example, one have that 93i opens and the 93i symbol that stops character to reader indicate one can line scanning symbol be positioned at the contiguous place of 93i symbol, and generally include with the 93i symbol in the relevant coded data of coded data.The explanation use of symbol together more up hill and dale below.

Below table concluded and opened/stopped character combination in the 93i symbolism." C93 " means that sign indicating number 93 opens/stop character in the following table, and " EC " represents error correction.Open/stop 93i (having that 93i opens and having value all the time is 52 character) the 93i/93i band 93i (have at least two 93i characters and be used as Qi Heting) together of character types principal character C93/C93 sign indicating number 93 (not having the character or the illegal displacement combination of its value＞46) C93/93i 93i (having 93i stops and at least one other 93i characteristic feature) 93i/C93 band EC

Notice that adjacent marker flag sign (below will illustrate) can open/stop character combination with any 93i and use.All herein not the character combination of explicit definition or mode value all be invalid, will make decode operation failure.

By the character that uses only one in the 93i symbolism to open and stop character and have the character value that exceeds sign indicating number 93 symbolism intermediate values, need at least two graphic change that 93i symbol and standard code 93 symbols are confused.For example, 93i opens or stops character and its value and should be interpreted as sign indicating number 93 greater than 46 character and open/stop character and its value less than 46 character.In addition, the general misunderstanding of the check character of 93i symbol to be explained is interpreted as standard code 93 symbols.

Unlike sign indicating number 93 symbolisms, the 93i symbolism adopts 47 that adopt in 53 values of symbol rather than sign indicating number 93 symbolisms.Specifically, the 93i symbolism increases value of symbol 47-52 and two startup characters.Opening character with first of empty bar figure 2,1,3,1,1,1 beginning of bar, to indicate this symbol be the 93i symbol, therefore can comprise value of symbol 47-52.Open in the character separated by single wide sky two wide by adopting at 93i, whether reader can be recognized by definite wide sky of this list be determined whether this symbol is clear.Open in the character one five wide of sign as reader at 93i, then since single wide sky not by identification and reader is determined this symbol the chances are fuzzy.

Another open character and sign indicating number 93 symbolisms to open character identical, and indicate this symbol only with effective code 93 sign characters coding.For the mixed uniformly alphanumeric message that only adopts the capitalization character, sign indicating number 93 symbolisms provide the most effective character density, are preferred to this class message therefore.

As shown in Figure 3, three and three skies in 9 unit of the sign character structure of each sign character employing in the 93i symbolism.Each bar or sky are 1,2, and 3 or 4 unit are wide.As in sign indicating number 93 symbolisms, the 93i symbolism adopts its minimum widith to equal the preceding dead zone (QZ) of ten times of X dimensions, two of opening in the sign character, one or more sign character coded data characters, two character check symbols (being called " C " and " K "), one is stopped sign character and a tail dead zone.Symbol can comprise an error correction or specific function sign and indicate at the message-length of symbol central authorities that 5 error correction characters are discussed as following.Fig. 4 shows the sign character (not having error correction) in the reference symbol 101, and it is the corresponding data character of individual symbols character together with each sign character by grammatical analysis, and these sign characters are represented by the short vertical line between each sign character.

As mentioned above, each 93i symbol comprises and is located immediately at two check characters that stop before the sign character.For all values of symbol in the symbol, check algorithm adopts mould 53 Hes.

In sign indicating number 93 symbolisms, according to the calculating and calculate check character " C " of the product of value of symbol and weighting sequence, as shown in Figure 2 by mould.Weighting sequence is (from stopping sign character to opening sign character) from right to left, from directly the preceding character begin, be repetitive sequence 1,2,3 ... 20,1,2,3 ... 20,1,2 ...The mould of pressing according to the product of value of symbol and another different weights sequence calculates and produces check character " K ", and wherein weighting sequence from check character " C ", is repetitive sequence 1,2,3 from right-to-left ... 15,1,2,3 ... 15,1,2 ...As in sign indicating number 93 symbolisms, open and stop sign character and be not included among check character calculates.

For example, consider the symbol of Fig. 4, data character is 9,3 from left to right, i, [ECI 16], { 30908}." [ECI 16] " mean ECI value 000016, and " 30908} " and be Asian character, have 16 bit codes 30908 (pronunciation as " MA " approx) in the Unicode standard.As normally used herein, separately the speech " symbol " that uses means a group sign character, for example shown in the reference symbol 101.Numerical data character " 9 " and " 3 " direct coding are and data character " i " must be encoded with shift character (illustrating as following).As commonly used herein, the speech " char " that uses means a data character or its respective symbol value separately.[ECI 16] data character is formed by two sign characters, and Asian character [30908] adopts below with the word pattern of discussing.In brief, value 30908 usefulness formula (16 ^*43 ²)+(30 ^*43)+34 encode.The result is, being used to of gained the encode value of symbol of sign character string of these data be: [09] [03] [46] [18] [47] [16] [50] [16] [30] [34].Adopt above-mentioned check character algorithm and suitable weighting, the calculating of check character " C " is as follows from right-to-left:

“C”?＝(10×9+9×3+8×46+7×18+6×47+5×16+4×50+3×

16+2×30+34)mod53

＝1315mod53

=43 similarly, uses to comprise that the weighting coefficient of " C " calculates check character " K ": " K "=(11 * 9+10 * 3+9 * 46+8 * 18+7 * 47+6 * 16+5 * 50+4

×16+3×30+2×34+43)mod53

＝1627mod53

＝37

As mentioned above, the 93i symbolism adopts several special characters.As sign indicating number 93 symbolisms, the 93i symbolism adopts four shift characters [S1]-[S4], has value of symbol 43-46, as shown in Figure 2.Single full ascii data character is represented in shift character before the value of symbol 10-35, as shown in the table of Fig. 5.Character combination [S3] A is effective to [S3] Z in Fig. 5 second hurdle, and can be used to produce the ascii character relevant with marking monocase in the 93i symbolism.For example, data character " Q " can be represented by single value of symbol [81], or can be represented by two values of symbol [S3] [81].[S2] and X, the character of Y or Z is to the ASCII value DEL (deletion) that all encodes.

When a shift character [S1]-[S4] back during, can indicate 3 to 23 according to specific initial shift character and be shifted one of character string or one groups continuously with one 0 to 9 or 36 to 46 value of symbol.As shown in Figure 5, character space (SP), $, % ,+,-, ,/and digit order number 0-9 be non-wiping, also be not used in the character that any displacement is provided.Therefore, its character value can be used for providing additional function for this class character of 0-9 and 36-46, promptly organizes shift function.Indicate in the table below a group internal shift the quantity of symbol:

Table 1

Shift character and character value subsequently	The quantity of the character of displacement subsequently (group)
		????[S？][0]	????????????3
????[S？][4]	????????????7
		????[S？][8]	????????????11
????[S？][38]	????????????15
		????[S？][42]	????????????19
????[S？][46]	????????????23
		????[S？][1]	????????????4
????[S？][5]	????????????8
		????[S？][9]	????????????12
????[S？][39]	????????????16
		????[S？][43]	????????????20
????[S？][2]	????????????5
		????[S？][6]	????????????9
????[S？][36]	????????????13
		????[S？][40]	????????????17
????[S？][44]	????????????21
		????[S？][3]	????????????6
????[S？][7]	????????????10
		????[S？][37]	????????????14
????[S？][41]	????????????18
		????[S？][45]	????????????22

Wherein " [S ?] " corresponding to one among shift character [S1]-[S4].In other words, provide a lock function with a value of symbol 0-9 or 36-46 for the character subsequently of predetermined quantity after one among four shift characters [S1]-[S4], according to initial shift character, character is locked in the value of their corresponding displacement subsequently.For example, as coded data " Modulo 53 ", then use 93i character " M[S4] [S2] ODULO[SP] 53 ", it is corresponding to value of symbol " 22,46,02,24,13,30,21,24,38,05 and 03 ".

The character of single displacement can (1) or be used for according to the shift character of front an Alphabetic Shift subsequently in the character of one group of displacement, (2) or as character is current be shifted into same the concentrating that indicates by initial shift character, then be used for one subsequently Alphabetic Shift to basic 93i character set.The displacement character string in shift character and one subsequently character the two all be included in the group length of table 1." string of displacement " and " character of displacement " or refer to a string data character or refer to that a use is according to an individual data character of being derived among shift character in the table of Fig. 5 [S1]-[S4].

For example, as encoded data message " Modulo 53 Math ", then adopt following 93i character:

“M[S4][37]ODULO[SP]53[SP][S4]MATH”

Notice character value [37] according to top table, indicate 14 characters in its back and be shifted according to the table of Fig. 5.Because shift character [S4] is included in the character of 14 displacements of this string, following closely character is not shifted or corresponding to basic 93i data character set in the group.Use shift character [S1]-[S3] if replace, then according to used shift character be in three which according to the table of Fig. 5 will be following closely Alphabetic Shift.Be also noted that if character value 0-9 (corresponding to data character 0-9) or character value 36-42 (corresponding to data character-,, SP, $ ,/,+, %) appear in the symbol that the character by displacement surrounds, then these character value direct codings are the part of the string of displacement.In the string of displacement, figure pattern or function 1 (FNC1) character (below will discuss) can be used, but ECI can not be used, byte mode and word pattern character (below will discuss).

Its value of symbol of 93i symbolism employing is 47 ECI character [47], and it is encoded the information of the prescribed sense of byte or subsequent data in the relevant given symbol.AIMI ECI assignment file is given the meaning of ECI number and byte or data according to the ECI number.The scope of ECI number is 000000 to 811799.For example, ECI numerical table shows the coding of international character collection.The 93i symbolism ECI number of encoding as follows: with the ECI number place symbol Anywhere and after thereupon with 1,2,3 or 4 values of symbol of the value of symbol 0-51 that is selected from Fig. 2.

Have ASCII value 92 (see figure 5)s the backslash character " " (tiltedly anti-separator) transmission before 6 ECI values.When reading symbol, the backslash character is used to receive the value of symbol of a string generation or the main frame or the system of data as escape character.Place coded data as the backslash character, two the backslash characters of then must encoding in symbol need wall scroll backslash character so that main frame is known, rather than the ECI value.Similarly, as two backslash characters of needs, four the backslash characters of then must encoding need two backslash characters so that main frame is known.The rule of ECI number of being used in the 93i symbolism encoding is listed in following table 2.

In general, count 0-899 for ECI, though otherwise packed data also direct coding with byte or data after these ECI numbers.For example ECI several 89 can represent the beginning of the particular type of enciphered data.The compressible enciphered data of following later on is a direct coding.Yet, as being encoded after numeral or the full ECI number of ascii character between a 0-899, available digital pattern or byte mode (below will describe), thus adopt 128 ASCII values of small letter and value of symbol accordingly, as shown in Figure 5.As coding ECI number in a string data character of word pattern (describing below) coding, then adopt the complete 128 ASCII values of band with 8 preceding zero setting.ECI counts 900-811799 and is encoded to byte with their effective models, and disable word pattern character ([50]).For example, several 950 for ECI, the string as need coding 93i value of symbol 0-9 then adopts figure pattern, and is also like this even the value of data character may not correspond to the number that adopts in the pattern by ECI 950 regulations.

Below table 2 concluded the rule of the ECI value that is used in the 93i symbolism to encode.In the following Table 2, " div " is the integral divide operational symbol, and " mod " is mould division operation symbol." CI " refers to highest significant position, and " C4 " refers to least significant bit (LSB).

Table 2

The ECI value	Character	Value	Scope
				?000000- ?000043	??C1	?ECI_val	?C1＝0?to?43
?000044- ?000095	??C1 ??C2	?44 ?ECI_val-44	?C1＝44 ?C2＝0?to?51
				?000096- ?002799	??C1 ??C2 ??C3	?45 (ECI_val-96)div?52 (ECI_val-96)mod?52	?C1＝45 ?C2＝0?to?51 ?C3＝0?to?51
?002800- ?811799	??C1 ??C2 ??C3 ??C4	((ECI_val-2800)div?1?40608)+46 ((ECI_val-2800)div?2704)mod?53 ((ECI_val-2800)div?52)mod?52 (ECI_val-2800)mod?52	?C1＝46?to?51 ?C2＝0?to?51 ?C3＝0?to?51 ?C4＝0?to?51

For example,, use following two character strings for encoding one 000020 ECI value: [47] [20], wherein [47] are ECI values of symbol 47, and [20] are 93i character " K ".

For encoding one 002000 ECI value, carry out following steps to obtain three required characters: [47] 45] [(ECI_val-96) div 52] [(ECI_val-96) mod 52]=[47] 45] [1904 div 52] [1904 mod 52]=[47] [45] [36] [32] are at last, for encoding one 200000 ECI value, carry out following steps to obtain four required characters: [47] [(ECI_val-2801) div 140608+46] [((ECI_val-2801) div 2704) mod 52] [((ECI_val-2801) div 52) mod 52] [(ECI_val-2801) mod 52]=[47] [197199 div 140608+46] [197199 div, 2704 mod 52] [197199 div 52mod 52] [197199 mod 52]=[47] [1+46] [72 mod 52] [3792 mod 52] [15]=[47] [47] [20] [48] [15]

A kind of digital compression pattern in symbol 48 expression indication codes 93 symbolisms is called " figure pattern " herein.5 digit order numbers pressures are 3 sign characters in figure pattern.Therefore, should use 5/3 figure pattern with 5 or the more sequence compression of multidigit.Figure pattern character, value of symbol 48 advance and go out 5/3 digital compression pattern repeatedly.Similarly, byte mode and word pattern character are respectively value of symbol 49 and 50, also can be used for withdrawing from figure pattern.As sign-off in figure pattern, then do not need the figure pattern quit character.

In figure pattern, represent 5 digit order numbers by 3 sign characters, wherein each sign character has the value of symbol within the 0-47 scope.This 5 figure place word string is produced by following formula:

A ^*48 ²+ B ^*48+C (1) is A wherein, and B and C are the 93i value of symbol.More than 5 digit order numbers and don't just in time be 5 multiple when being encoded, should use following 4 rules when a string.At first, when surpassing digit order number of multiple of 5 in the string, it is directly encoded by single sign character (value of symbol 00-09).The second, comprise two digit order numbers of multiple as numeric string more than 5, then last 7 digit order numbers are divided into after a cover 4 digit order numbers thereupon with a cover 3 digit order numbers, and every suit is represented by following third and fourth rule in them.The 3rd, comprise three digit order numbers of multiple as numeric string more than 5, then 3 digit order numbers in string end are represented by two sign characters according to following formula:

48 ^*A+B (2) wherein A and B is the 93i value of symbol.The 4th, comprise four digit order numbers of multiple as numeric string more than 5, then last 4 digit order numbers are used face formula (1) and are encoded to 3 sign characters, and the end value of its Chinese style (1) is between 100000 and 109999.Below table 3 show 5,6,7,8,9 and 10 number bit strings of example, its scope is from 12345 to 123456789, and gained optimal symbol value is determined with figure pattern.

Table 3

Example data	Best gained value of symbol
		?12345	?[05][17][09]
?123456	?[05][17][09][06]
		?1234567	?[43][45][02][11][39]
?12345678	?[05][17][09][14][06]
		?123456789	?[05][17][09][46][16][37]
?1234567890	?[05][17][09][29][22][18]

The ECI value is as the part of figure pattern, and wherein value of symbol [47] is not quoted the ECI agreement, itself is used for 5/3 digital compression techniques and replace.Follow after a string digit order number as ECI value [47], then before with the ECI value, must at first withdraw from figure pattern with the figure pattern coding.

Byte mode in the value of symbol 49 expression 93i symbolisms is called " byte mode " herein.In byte mode, the 93i symbolism is encoded complete effectively or is expanded the string of ascii data or direct byte data.One " byte " is often referred to one 8 bit data collection.In following formula (3), be each three sign characters coding double byte or 2 octets:

A ^*43 ²+ B ^*43+C (3) is A wherein, and B and C are the 93i values of symbol between 0 and 42.

In formula (3) be two sign characters (promptly 2 with the double-byte encodings of its combined value between 0 and 65535 ¹⁶=65536).4 numerals of end value coding of formula between 65536 to 75535 (3), and be worth 3 numerals of 75535 to 76535 codings.The result is, the information density when byte mode provides 3 and 4 digit order numbers numeral debulking methods to be used for the coded digital character string in the byte mode to improve.The end value of the formula between 76536 and 79506 (3) is definition not, and reader can not be decoded, and exports an error signal simultaneously.

As figure pattern, using its value of symbol is that 49 byte mode sign character enters and withdraw from byte mode.Also available word mode symbol character (value of symbol 50) or figure pattern sign character (value of symbol 48) withdraw from byte mode.In addition, its value of symbol is that shift character [S1]-[S4] of 43-46 makes reader withdraw from byte mode and add 128 for the value of symbol of subsequently character.Therefore, withdraw from the expansion ascii character of to encode effectively behind the byte mode.Similarly, as leave a character at the symbol end, then when the character of front was in byte mode, last character added 128 decodings (just as in expanding ASCII) with its value of symbol.Finish in byte mode as symbol, then do not need for example pattern that the withdraws from character of last byte mode sign character (value of symbol 49).Stay the symbol end if any two characters, then two characters are decoded with their basic symbol value, just as withdrawing from byte mode.

When in byte mode, the 93i symbolism allows to use several coding strategies to improve the sign character code efficiency.For example, byte mode allows to expand single group that the ascii data character code is three sign characters with two.The complete or expansion ascii data character with the ending of expansion ascii data character for even number is said, adopts the group of three sign characters in the byte mode of 93i symbolism.For odd number with the complete of the mixing of expanding the ascii data EOC and expand the ascii data character and say, the even number character is represented by the group of three sign characters, and last (or only) data character is encoded with one of following two kinds of methods.At first, be one as the last symbol character and expand ascii character that then it is encoded to full ascii character, there is the appropriate shift character among a Fig. 5 front.The second, be single full ascii character as last character, then its direct coding is also thereupon with the byte mode character.In both cases, last character has the value (character value 00-46 as shown in Figure 2) that value of symbol 128 adds base character or shift character.

Below table 4 show the optimum coding of different pieces of information character string under the byte mode.Recall, value of symbol [49] means the byte mode character, and [S? ] represent in four shift characters, its value of symbol is 43-46.In the 3rd hurdle of table 4, character " A " to " F " means any data character below, and its value of symbol is the 00-42 among Fig. 2.

Table 4

Number of characters	The data character type	The 93i character string
			????1 ????1 ????1	The full ASCII of standard expands ASCII	A [S? ] A [49] [S? ] A or [49] A[49] be decided by value
????2 ????3	Expansion ASCII-withdraws from then entirely/expands and expands then-withdraw from	[49] ABC[49] [49] ABC[S? ] A or [49] ABC A[49]
			????4 ????5	??″ ???″	[49] ABC DEF[49] [49] ABC DEF[S? ] A or [49] ABC DEFA[49]
????· ????????· ????????·	??· ??????· ??????·	??· ??????· ??????·

Will be when complete or expansion ascii data intercharacter be encoded when numerical data character string, available additional code strategy improves sign character density in the 93i symbolism.As complete or expand one or two numerical data character of coding between ascii character, then one or two numerical character is regarded as single full ascii character, its ASCII value is decided by digit, for shown in Fig. 5 48 to 57.Encode between complete and expansion ascii character as 3 to 9 numerical data characters, then the 65536-75535 and the 75536-76535 of three and four group boil down to byte mode.In other words, byte mode provides the digital compression of the satisfaction of 3 to 9 figure place word strings in complete or the expansion ascii string.Yet, for 10 or the string of multidigit more, should withdraw from byte mode and enter figure pattern, these need are complete or expand in the ascii string and providing figure pattern character [48] to get final product.

Will be as one, two, three or four standards or basic 93i data character complete or expand in the ascii string and encode, then this class master data character is used as byte and is treated.Yet, will be as five or more master data characters complete or expand ascii character central authorities coding, then following method is more effective: at first encoded byte pattern character [49] is to shift out byte mode, these five of direct codings or more master data characters use another byte mode character [49] to enter byte mode more then.Below table 5 provide and place complete or expand the example of the digital bit string of ascii string.In the following Table 5, with the conjunction symbol character types are separated.

Table 5

Data character number and type	The 93i character string
		2 expand/complete-1 digit order number/basic-1 expands and 2 expands/complete-1 digit order number/basic-2 expand and 2 expand/and complete-2 digit order numbers/basic-1 expands and 2 expands/and complete-2,3,4, digit order number/standard-2 2 expands/basic-2 expansions in-10 digit order numbers-2 expansion 2 expansions entirely/complete-5	[49] ABC DEF[49] [49] ABC DEF[S] A or A[49] [49] ABC DEF[S] A or A[49] [49] ABC DEF GHI[49] [49] ABC[48] DEF GHI[49] JKL[49] [49] ABC[49] DEFGH[49] JKL[49]

Word pattern in the value of symbol 50 expression 93i symbolisms is called " word pattern " herein.Under word pattern, three sign characters are made up so that their corresponding three values of symbol are encoded single 16 place values.Therefore, can encode Asian character or 16 character codes of three sign characters.65536 character codes of as many as can be encoded in order to following formula (3).

Can or with word pattern character [50], byte mode character [49] or withdraw from word pattern with figure pattern character [48].In addition, as byte mode, thereupon with single base character, or single sign character and word pattern character withdraw from word pattern and add on the value of monocase 128 behind shift character [S1]-[S4].As sign-off in word pattern, then do not need quit character.When being right after in front sign character when encoding under word pattern, two sign characters at symbol end are with their basic value decoding.Adopt 8 processing architectures as main frame, then reader transmits two successive bytes in byte mode.Yet adopt 16 bit architectures (for example double byte of parallel processing) as main frame, reader can adopt word pattern to transmit the single two-byte character of 16 bytes to main frame.

Once more, the 93i symbolism allows to adopt several strategies to improve code efficiency in word pattern.For example, use the mode be similar to the above byte mode to handle the numeric string that is comprised in the character of encoding word pattern under, having only its value is two digital values of string encoding of 76536 to 76635.Be contained in the word pattern character as the individual digit position, then the individual digit position is represented by [43] N, and wherein [43] are the first shift character S1, and N is a digit order number.Comprise in the word pattern character two, three or four digit order numbers are only got final product by appropriate word pattern value representation, with byte mode the same manner.When comprising five digit order numbers in the word pattern character, should withdraw from word pattern and enter figure pattern by coded digital pattern character [48] simply.A list is basic, complete or when expanding ascii character when comprising in the word pattern character, adopts explicit word pattern character value to represent basic, that expand or full ascii character.As two or more complete or expansion ascii characters of coding in the word pattern character, then should withdraw from word pattern and also insert byte mode character [49] once more simply and enter byte mode.Below table 6 be presented under the word pattern in the 93i symbolism several examples of coded number word string effectively or other data character string.In the following Table 6, value " 25543 " means two different Unicode 16 bit codes with " 18776 ".Character types in second hurdle are separated by the conjunction symbol.

Table 6

Value	Type	The 93i character
			25543 25543，18776 25543，3，18776 25543，3，7，18776 25543，A，18776 25543，AB，18776 25543，233，231，18876	Unicode Unicode Unicode-digit order number-Unicode Unicode-2 digit order number-Unicode Unicode-standard/byte-Unicode Unicode-2 standard-Unicode Unicode-2 byte-Unicode	[50]ABC[50] [50]ABC?DEF[50] [50]ABC[43]3 ?DEF[50] [50]ABC?DEF ?GHI[50] [50]ABC?DEF ?GHI[50] [50]ABC[50]AB[50] ?DEF[50] [50]ABC[49]ABC[50] ?DEF[50]

Any standard 16 bit data character coding standards can be used by the present invention, for example, and Unicode, JISC-6226-1983, big by five (BF) or KSC 5609-1987.The JISC-6226-1983 standard is the Japanese Industrial Standards character set, is used for japanese character and pseudonym data character are mapped as 16 bit codes.This data character standard class is similar to Unicode, and as mentioned above, it comprises Chinese character and pseudonym data character among other character.Yet, in the JISC-6226-1983 standard each data character be endowed one with the Unicode standard in the equity 16 different bit codes of data character.

A function 1 (FNC1) character in the value of symbol 51 expression 93i symbolisms.The FNC1 character denotation of first, second or the 3rd position this character and the application-specific standard meets in the symbol, and this is in the relevant technologies known to the person skilled in the art.The effective combination that is positioned at FNC1 character prefix character before is 0-9, A-Z, 10-99 and a-z ([S4] A-[S4] Z).The 4th or the FNC1 character at subsequent position place corresponding to the group separater that transmits (＜GS 〉) character.When symbol in numeral, byte or word pattern and FNC1 character when appearing in this symbol, the FNC1 Character Translation is just as numeral, byte or word pattern finish, send a group separater＜GS〉character and reenter preceding mode (i.e. numeral, byte or word pattern).

A leading space (value of symbol 38) is arranged when printing as symbol, and then reader deposits institute's reading symbol in buffer memory together with subsequently the symbol with leading space, until meeting the symbol of not being with leading space.At this moment, the full content of buffer memory, promptly in the buffer memory institute to some extent reading symbol be sent out, in sign indicating number 93 symbolisms.Consequently, a long symbol can be divided into several less symbols, removes each less symbol of last outer symbol and has a leading space data character.As wishing that in symbol leading space never calls this " leading space additional " feature as first data character, then should use byte mode.

Followingly regard to that exemplary decoding subroutine explained, read and the reader of the 93i sign character of decoding does not send and opens or stop character or error correction character.As sign indicating number 93 symbolisms, all data characters all transmit, and with the character of a beginning among shift character [S1]-[S4] to only transmitting single ascii character among Fig. 5.Asia and other 16 character codes because the 93i symbolism can be encoded, reader will send 16 words in word pattern the time.When reader runs into word pattern character [50] in the symbol together with subsequently complete or when expanding ascii character or basic 93i data character, reader sends all ASCII value 0-255 as double byte, promptly first byte is formed by 8 zero, and second byte representation coding ascii data.Be not configured to transmit double byte as a symbol without word pattern character [50] and reader, then all data characters all read and send as byte in the 93i symbol, in byte mode.Therefore, adopt 8 bit architectures, then institute is sent data and be provided at more effective coding and transmission in the reader in the 93i symbolism automatically as individual character is energy-conservation as reader.When ECI character [47] exists in the symbol, carry out as the process of using the word pattern character, but only comprising among the ECI data character of one or more word pattern characters, as below describing.

The best symbolization system of 93i symbolism identifier.Symbolic identifier in the 93i symbolism be decided by coded data in the symbol characteristic place the prefix before the data that transmit.In other words, the symbolism identifier is a kind of method of unified standard, is used for being reported in special symbol system that reader is provided with and reads and option and any further feature of symbolism that runs in special symbol.AIM USA symbolism identifier guide is understood the symbolism identifier in more detail.Can be with the reader programming the symbolism identifier-prefix be added on the given data-message that reader sends.The special symbol system identifier of 93i symbolism is identical with the symbolism identifier of sign indicating number 93, i.e. " IG ".Alternative arrangement is that the 93i symbolism can adopt only one symbolism identifier, for example ") i ".Add one or more modification symbol data characters according to the rule of listing in the following table 7 then.

Table 7

Revise the symbol character	Rule
		0 1 2 3m 4 5 6m 7 8 9 Am B Cm D-8	Sign indicating number 93 symbol decodings promptly do not have its value of symbol greater than 46 data character in the symbol.The 93i symbol decoding transmits byte (not having the word pattern character in the symbol).The primary importance place is the FNC1 character, transmits byte.The second or the 3rd position is the FNC1 character, after thereupon with the byte value of front character, transmit byte.The 93i symbol decoding transmits double byte, comprises the symbolism identifier.The primary importance place is the FNC1 character, transmits double byte.The second or the 3rd position is the FNC1 character, after thereupon with the value of front character, transmit double byte.The ECI character occurs, comprise " NNNNNN " ECI value simultaneously when transmitting byte, the " " character that will encode simultaneously doubles.For ECI value 0-900, when the word pattern character occurring, in ECI, transmit double word, otherwise transmit byte.For ECI value 901-811799, word pattern character code and all characters are not all transmitted as byte.The ECI character occurs, all characters all transmit as double byte, comprise the ECI sequence.The primary importance place is the FNC1 character, the ECI character occurs and transmits byte.The second or the 3rd position is the FNC1 character, after thereupon with the byte value of front character, the ECI character occurs and transmit byte.The primary importance place is the FNC1 character, the ECI1 character occurs and transmits double byte.The second or the 3rd position is the FNC1 character, after thereupon with the byte value of front character, the ECI character occurs and transmit double byte.Adding of supporting structure

Revise symbol character " m " corresponding to the back with the application-specific standard and register with AIM.Just think that symbol character " m " just appears revising in the FNC1 character when the second or the 3rd position.

Encode in the second place as the FNC1 character, follow after odd number word bit prefix character, be the byte of ASCII value 48 with 0 behind the then symbol system identifier thereupon, and the back is the numeral with coding of ASCII value 48-57, and they promptly send out., follow after two prefix number positions in the 3rd position as the FNC1 character code, then the byte value of two digit order numbers is transmitted according to the symbolism identifier of table 7.In the second place, its front is a capitalization character A-Z prefix as the FCN1 character code, the byte value of this alphabetic character then, and ASCII value 65-90 follows after the symbolism identifier.As the FNC1 character code in the 3rd position, follow after shift character [S4] and capitalization character, then this to representing the lowercase character of its ASCII value for 97-122, its byte value is with transmission in the symbolism identifier after to the character of first and second positions.

Specific characteristic tab character of value of symbol 52 expression, it or be illustrated in use error correction character in the symbol, or expression is decided by the structure supplementary features of the position of specific characteristic tab character in the symbol.Place symbol central authorities as the specific characteristic tab character, then the specific characteristic tab character is indicated in use error correction character in the symbol.Follow the message-length of the symbology symbol after the specific characteristic tab character closely.Generally speaking, the 93i symbolism adopts 5 error correction characters, has value of symbol 0-52.The 93i symbolism adopts the Reed-Solomon error calibration method, with main mould 2 Galois territory GF (53), has by the determined error correction character of following expansion generator polynomial:

(X-2)(X-4)(X-8)(X-16)(X-32)

Adopting the symbol of error correction can grow to maximum length is 53 sign characters, does not comprise opening and stopping character.Because the 93i symbolism adopts mould 53 to calculate, and therefore only allows 46 data characters in the symbol that adopts error correction, does not also allow to have the symbol more than 53 characters.Because 5 characters are corresponding to the error correction character, and therefore 2 characters only are left 46 numerical characters corresponding to message-length identifier and specific function sign.

Be the symbol with error correction of decoding, printer, computing machine or miscellaneous equipment must at first determine to optimize the message-length L (considering numerals different in the 93i symbolism, byte, word and other pattern) of message.Message-length L comprises the length of entire data message, does not comprise opening and stopping character, specific characteristic tab character, message-length character and 5 error correction characters.The position of specific characteristic tab character is after the character at position (L+2)/2 place.What be right after insertion thereafter is the message-length character, and it has value of symbol L-1, is used to indicate message-length, and the latter can be between 1 and 46.Choosing can have value for message-length character in the scheme and be L.After this printer, computing machine or five error correction characters of calculation of equipments and after opening character, place first batch of two EC1 and EC2 in the error correction character of five generations, and with its excess-three error correction character EC3, EC4 and EC5 place and stop before the character, as shown in Figure 10.Therefore last coded identification is for 93i opens character, EC1, EC2, data (1 to 23 data character), specific characteristic tab character SFlag, message-length character MsgLength, data character (0 to 22 data character), EC3, EC4, EC5 and stop character.

Be the example that adopts the symbol of error correction character below.Provide character value " 9,3,46,18,16,30 and 34 ", the length L of this character string=8.The result is that the specific characteristic sign inserts in after the 5th position ((8+2)/2)=5, i.e. the 6th position.The message-length character thereupon in after, and have character value 7 (being 8-1=7).Last coded message is " 9,3,46,18,50,52,7,16,30,34 ", and it produces following polynomial expression:

9X ⁵+3X ⁶+46X ⁷+18X ⁸+50X ⁹+52X ¹⁰+7X ¹¹+16X ¹²+30X ¹³+34X ¹⁴

Polynomial expression adopts mould 53 to calculate, and wherein takes advantage of, and removes, add and the result that subtracts all the time in GF (53) territory, its value is 0 to 52.For obtaining correct result, finish appropriate arithmetical operation,, subtract continuously greater than 52 as the result with 53, until the result in 0 to 52 scope, and similarly, as the result less than 0, then add 53 until the result in this scope.For example, number (123), (17), (89) and (407) all equal (36) in mould 53 calculates.

Use mould 53 to calculate, the generator polynomial expression becomes X ⁵+ 44X ⁴+ 21X ³+ 44X ²+ 50X+39.Removing top coding polynomial expression with this generator polynomial expression (is 34X ¹⁴+ 30X ¹³+ 16X ¹²+ 7X ¹¹+ 52X ¹⁰+ 50X ⁹+ 18X ⁸+ 46X ⁷+ 3X ⁶+ 9X ⁵+ 0X ⁴+ 0X ³+ 0X ²+ 0X+0), obtaining remainder polynomid is 13X ⁴+ 17X ³+ 24X ²+ 12X+28.Mould 53 complements of coefficient are error correction code word E5-E1, and they correspond respectively to " 40,36,29,41 and 25 ".Therefore, Bian Ma string is " 25,41 (EC1 and EC2), 9,3,46,18,50,52 (specific characteristic signs), 7 (message-length characters), 16,30,34,29,36 and 40 (EC3, EC4 and EC5) " at last.

Notice that specific characteristic tab character 52 is positioned at the left side of the central authorities of the center of odd data character or even data character all the time.When having only a data character, error correction character EC1-EC5 still is distributed in the symbol.For example, for the symbol that has only a data character " D ", the symbol with the coding that opens/stop character is not: " EC1, EC2, D, [52], [message-length], EC3, EC4, EC5 ".

Error correction in the 93i symbolism can recover two error characters of as many as, or error character and one or two loses character (being deleted character), or three of as many as are lost character.Therefore, the single vertical wide stroke of road that has hidden 3 data characters can be proofreaied and correct.

In addition, because of the specific characteristic tab character is placed in the middle, the 93i symbolism allow to be recovered the symbol head or tail of losing, and comprises opening or stopping character.By providing the specific characteristic tab character in symbol central authorities, symbol can be by half decoding, thereby makes its vertical redundance double (to be similar to the mode of UPC symbolism) effectively.

Because five error correction characters are divided into two groups (EC1 and EC2 are positioned at and begin the place, and EC3-EC5 is positioned at the end) in symbol, last institute call sign more can resist infringement.For example, as all error correction characters all be positioned at an end of symbol and this end is covered or the infringement, then all error correction characters will be lost.

Specific characteristic tab character and message-length character comprise the error correction character in its length except that indicating symbol, also provide significant data to symbol.The specific characteristic tab character is placed symbol central authorities, and reader just can determine that symbol central authorities reach symbol one end wherein and whether damage or lose.Together with message-length character and remainder error correction character, reader can compensate this class infringement (if it is no more than the scope that can be proofreaied and correct by the error correction character).The message-length character easily provides symbol lengths to reader, and as mentioned above, it can be used to be convenient to error correction and other purposes.

Specific characteristic tab character 52 also can be used as the monocase sign, and it is additional to be used for orderly linking of multirow or structure, or is used to indicate an existence that is positioned at the data carrier (for example adjacent character) that accompanies that opens character primary importance place afterwards.Follow after the initial specific characteristic tab character at primary importance place one or more character values or for being used to identify this symbol " revising symbol " character for a member of the group of 15 individual symbols of as many as of forming a single symbol of set together, or provide the particular reader instruction to help the one or more decodings of data carrier together and the adjacent marker sign values of data management for being used to." labeling indicia value " is that its value of following after the specific characteristic tab character of the information that is used to identify relevant adjacent data carrier (below will describe) is 8,14-17, the monocase of 22-26 and 30-35." revise symbol character " be used to indicate one at its value of symbol of the additional group length of 1 to 5 intersymbol structure not within the above-mentioned set and the monocase between 9 and 45.In other words, 1 to 5 additional character and existing symbol are formed big character.Value of symbol between 0 and 7, after indicate group length between 6 and 15 symbols with the character value between 6 and 47 thereupon, as described below.

Except that adopting above-mentioned 93i to open and stop the character combination, the back is indicating this symbol with the specific characteristic tab character that with its character value is 8 labeling indicia value and is having a feasible scanned symbol that accompanies (for example linearity or lamination symbol).The back also indicates this 93i symbol with the specific characteristic tab character that with its character value is 8 labeling indicia value and adopts error correction.

Unlike current available linear symbol system, 93i symbol symbol many collective datas of encoding that accompany with it.For example, together symbol can the encoded product identification number, lot number, the number of ordering, share number, other user-defined data acquisition, and other predefined data acquisition.This class symbol supplementary data of encoding usually that accompanies, the latter is with relevant as the 93i symbol that accompanies.When reader has the 93i symbol that 93i opened and stopped character with one, or one have open character and after when being the symbol scanning of 8 modification symbol character or imaging with specific characteristic tab character and its value thereupon, reader is known should close this 93i symbol of symbol together, therefore attempts to collect data from the symbol that accompanies.

For example, for the reader with laser scanner, when scanner accompanied the symbol reading of data certainly, laser scanner was still switched on.For 2D imager reader, reader scans its video memory with the identification memory image of symbol together, or the digital picture of obtaining the zone that is adjacent to the 93i symbol is to seek symbol together.The result is that by the identification existence of symbol together, reader is not wasted energy or performance.

With reference to Figure 11, an exemplary 93i symbol 200 comprises an adjacent symbol 202 together.Symbol 202 is known as two-dimensional symensional symbol together, is specially the PDF417 symbol." two-dimensional symensional symbol " refers generally to be selected from for example symbol of sign indicating number 49 and PDF417 of multirow or lamination symbolism, or is selected from for example Code One of plane symbol system, the symbol of Maxi Code and Data Matrix.93i symbol 200 comprises respectively and opens and stop character 204 and 206.And specific characteristic tab character 208 and labeling indicia value 210.When having the reader scanning 93i symbol 200 of laser scanner, the reader discovery exists adjacent symbol 202 together, promptly continues scanning so that not only also collect data from the symbol that accompanies from the 93i symbol.Specific characteristic tab character 208 and labeling indicia value 210 are for reader provides additional data, and be as described below.

Figure 14 shows an exemplary 93i symbol, and it has the contiguous and PDF417 symbol together on the 93i symbol in a position.Figure 15 shows that has the 93i symbol of sign indicating number 49 symbols together.Sign indicating number 49 symbols are positioned at the right side in 93i symbol dead zone.

Used as herein, speech " mark " and speech " data carrier " are used interchangeably, to refer to be used to deposit or the machine-readable character or the equipment of coded data.For example, data carrier or mark comprise radio frequency (RF) raadable mark, comprise the machine-readable character of linear and two-dimensional symensional symbol etc.

When reader detects the specific characteristic tab character that has adjacent labeling indicia value at the primary importance place, information from the labeling indicia value helps reader decoding mark together, and guidance can be provided, tell what action reader takes to information encoded in the mark that accompanies.Its value is that 14 labeling indicia value indication reader or main frame substitute the data relevant with the 93i symbol with the data in the symbol together in the read/write subroutine.For example, the 93i symbol 200 among Figure 11 can provide a record finger URL title to be stored in specific record or file in the database in the reader or in the principal computer with sign.Has character value 14 as this labeling indicia value 210, then 93i symbol 200 indication readers alternative record of coded data in the symbol 202 that accompanies by the 93i symbology.The result is the data of the 93i symbol 200 and the symbol 202 alternative exterior storage that accompany.

Have the data that the mark value of statistical indicant indication reader of value 15 or main frame will accompany in the symbol and place the top of the data recording relevant, and have the labeling indicia value indication reader of value 16 or the end that main frame places related data to write down the data of being correlated with the 93i symbol.Have that the labeling indicia value indication reader of value 17 or main frame do not send related data and on the contrary may be on the display device of reader video data.Labeling indicia value with value 22-26 not only has for example two-dimensional symensional symbol together of plane symbol near reader is indicated in the 93i symbol, but also the predetermined alignment of this plane symbol and the sign of displacement are provided.Plane symbol adopts the regular polygon arrangement (for example Code One, or Data Matrix MaxiCode) of placing with respect to the detector figure usually.Because reader is known the specific aligning of plane symbol with respect to the 93i symbol, plane symbol can avoid using the detector figure, thereby provides additional data character in the space that is originally occupied by the detector figure.

With reference to Figure 11, labeling indicia value 210 may have value 22, and it is indicating the symbol 220 that accompanies to reader and is being positioned on the 93i symbol 200.The signable together symbol of other labeling indicia value is positioned at respect to below the 93i symbol, the left side or the right side, or some other place.For example, with reference to Figure 12,93i symbol 214 has the bidimensional symbol 216 that accompanies.This bidimensional accompanies, and symbol 216 can specifically be aimed at 93i symbol 214 so that left side edge 220 perpendicular alignmnets of the right side edge 218 of 93i symbol and the symbol that accompanies.

Labeling indicia value with value 30-35 tells reader to have a mark together, and indication or the sign of how obtaining information from mark is provided.For example, as shown in Figure 13, together mark can be a radio frequency (RF) mark 226, and the value of the labeling indicia value in the 93i symbol 224 signable adopt specific RF identification (RFID) sign indicating number to obtain the data that are stored in the mark.Choosing for scheme is, the coded data in the 93i symbol 224 can provide indication with from RF mark 226 polls or obtain data to reader, and characteristic frequency for example is provided.

Labeling indicia value and they the corresponding sign to reader has been concluded in following tabulation.

The labeling indicia value	Sign to reader
		?8	The linear symbol that has the error correction of feasible scanned symbol together
?14，15，16，17	Read/write symbol A together, B, C, D
		?22，23，24，25，26	The integrated matrix notation A of detector together, B, C, D, E
?30，31，32，33，34，35	Mark A together, B, C, D, E, F

The signable specific mark together of labeling indicia value.For example, the signable specific two-dimensional symbol system of labeling indicia value 22-26, for example PDF417 or Code One.The specific instruction set of adopting when reader runs into the labeling indicia value preferably pre-determines with standardization so that all readers are finished same operation when running into this class symbol.

In a word, the 93i symbolism provides a kind of method to be used for providing instruction to reader, for example whether continue to scan/and imaging to be to seek the instruction of symbol together.For example, the 93i symbolism adopts a kind of method, uses to open and/or stop character is used to control reader with coding data.The combination of opening and stopping character provides four class significant characters.This four classes significant character quickens to read or decode procedure, for example indicates whether reader should adopt error correction.In addition, 93i symbolism codified data, it helps reader retrieve data in accompany symbol or mark, for example by usage flag sign value.

Accord with character referring now to the additional modification of indicating arrangement that is used for of following after the specific characteristic tab character, this modification symbol character generates on algorithm according to following rule.Have character value between 9 and 45 as first character, then character value is converted to 6, and front three is that orderly value of symbol and second crowd three are group length.For example, 45 corresponding to 6 101101, or the 5th symbol in one group of 5 symbol.Revise the symbol character as first and have character value between 0 and 7 and character following closely and have character value between 6 and 47, then in two characters each all be converted to 6 and link up form 12 continuously the list of position go here and there.Front three and the 8th are zero-bit all the time, and the group length of position 4 to 7 orderly symbolic numbers of sign and position 9 to 12 expression set symbols.For example, 7,47 corresponding to 12 binary strings 000111101111, position 4 to 7 be 1111 and the position 9 to 12 be 1111, therefore represent the 15th symbol in 15 symbols.As another example, below table 8 show the example of the structure of the 93i symbolism modification symbol character in additional.

Table 8

Character position		Binary string	With corresponding modify character value after the initial specific characteristic tab character
				?1?of?4	?001?100	?001100	?12
?2?of?4	?010?100	?010100	?20
				?3?of?4	?011?100	?011100	?28
?4?of?4	?100?100	?100100	?36
				?1?of?6	?000?0001?0?0110	?000000?1001?10	?0,38
?2?of?6	?000?0010?0?0110	?000001?0001?10	?1,6
				?3?of?6	?000?0011?0?0110	?000001?1001?10	?1,38
?4?of?6	?000?0100?0?0110	?000010?000110	?2,6
				?5?of?6	?000?0101?0?0110	?000010?100110	?2,38
?6?of?6	?000?0110?0?01?10	?000011?000110	?3,6

For ease of guaranteeing that a class symbol should connect together, after the n of n character, comprise two check characters.First check character is calculated as mould 43 and (do not comprise the specific characteristic tab character, revise the symbol character, mould character, check or error correction character) of the ASCII value of all data characters in this class symbol.Similarly, it is poor that second check character is calculated as the mould 43 of ASCII value of all array characters in this class symbol, comprises first check character, but do not comprise the specific characteristic tab character, revises symbol character, mould character, error correction character or other check character.

Each symbol in one group of structure diacritic can be by any sequential scanning or imaging, and the symbol that has an error correction character can mix with the regular 93i symbol that lacks the error correction character.From the data of all symbols all exist in the reader with cushioning and with reader in any leading and after lead and enable character, for example carriage return (CR), line feed (LF) character of etc.ing is together by correct order transmission.Alternatively, configurable reader sends individual symbols to use the symbolism identifier agreement of explaining herein.In the case, behind the suitable symbolism identifier with right with the even numbers word bit, the m of n, and before the data that are attached to each symbol transmit.For example, be in two symbols first and data character string 456 is that then the coded identification value in first symbol is " 52; 10,1,2; 3 among in two symbols second as data character string " 123 " " the coded identification value that reaches in second symbol is " 52,18,8; 4; 4,5,6 ", wherein 8=(49+50+51+52+53+54) mod 43, and 4=(49-50-51-52-53-54) mod 43.The data that send from reader are as data character string 1,2,3,4,5,6, CR, and LF sends out.Be configured to send the discrete structure diacritic and at first scan in two symbols the 2nd as reader, then reader will send " (, G, D, 0,2,0,2; 8,4,4,5,6 ", and this is ASCII value sequence " 93,71,68; 48,50,48,50,56,52,52,53 and 54 ".

Choosing for embodiment in, each symbol in one group of structure diacritic comprises a file identification character, rather than first and second check characters.Each symbol in one group of structure diacritic comprises and is selected from any one identical file identification character in the value of symbol 0 to 42 (data character 0 is to %).The file identification character is corresponding to them relevant a group with each symbol logo.Therefore the symbol in the structure diacritic does not on the same group have the file identification character of each symbol that is used for identifying this class symbol of the correspondence group that is different from them.

The file identification character can make the easier printing of printer, can only print a symbol because printer needn't enter AD HOC in a time.The benefit of file identification character is to allow user's matching files under no cache mode, finishes these combinations as long as comprise a suitable symbolism identifier or the simple software program of moving in the symbol on principal computer.The file identification character can for example be put in after the specific characteristic tab character.

In another selected for embodiment, the specific characteristic sign can use with value of symbol with one or more backs, can be used in several other symbols to show a complete two-dimensional symbol.For example, can follow the monocase that its value is made up of the position and the length of symbol behind the sign.Specific characteristic tab character 52 indicates the definite position of each symbol in the two-dimensional plane together with one or more backs with value of symbol, thereby forms a two-dimensional symbol effectively.For example, four symbols can form single two-dimensional symbol with two row together.Specific characteristic tab character 52 forms the upper left of two-dimensional symbol together with first back with the signable symbol of value of symbol, and the specific characteristic tag mark then indicates another lower right corner corresponding to two-dimensional symbol in four symbols together with second value of symbol.The check character of last symbol is the check character of whole two-dimensional symbol in the additional two-dimensional symbol of structure.A given symbol both can comprise that the specific characteristic tab character comprises the error correction character to indicate this symbol, can comprise its use with the indicating arrangement supplementary features at symbol top again in symbol central authorities.

Now have a look the example that sends data according to symbol among Fig. 1 from reader.Among Fig. 1 symbol will go here and there " 9,3, i, EC1,16,30908} " coding, the data of transmission are:

) G 793 i 000,016 30908 it in byte be:

93,71,55,57,51,105,92,48,48,48,48,49,54,120,128. notice symbolism the identifier "] G7 that initially transmits with data " comprise and revise symbol character " 7 " that it indicates that at table 7 " NNNNNN " the EC1 value that an EC1 character occurs and comprise transmits byte in transmission.It is then constant to be configured to that as reader all byte are sent double-byte characters as double byte, and then symbol system identifier will change "] G8 into ", following byte sequence will send from reader:

0，93，0，71，0，56，0，57，0，51，0，105，0，92，0，48，0，48，0，48，0，48，0，49，0，f，120，188。

Because this symbol comprises an ECI character, must use the symbolism identifier, and reader just can not decoding symbols as not sending symbolism identifier character.Yet, in symbol, not encode as ECI character " 000016 ", the main frame that remains to be received from reader the data that send goes the explanation message that sends.In the case, when coded word pattern character in symbol, reader must send symbol as double byte, and when reaching as allowing to use the symbolism identifier, then correct prefix should be "] G4 ".Similarly, do not appear in the symbol as the word pattern character, but reader is configured to all byte be sent as double byte and keep all double-byte characters constant, then symbol system identifier still is "] G4 ".Therefore, will send coded strings " 9,3, i, 30908} " as follows:

] G4 93 i 30908 it in byte be:

0，93，0，71，0，52，0，57，0，51，0，105，120，188.

Fig. 6 shows an exemplary symbols character printing device 100.This equipment 100 comprises 106, one keyboards 107 of 104, one storeies of 102, one CPU (central processing unit) of a printer (CPU) and a secondary storer 108.Printer 102 is common type, can print bar code and human-readable data character.The person skilled in the art can select any printer of the present invention that is applicable to for use.CPU 104 is by port or line 109.On electric, be connected to principal computer, or other application apparatus.The CPU 104 that execution is stored in the subroutine (Fig. 7) in storer 106 and/or the secondary storer 108 is converted to counting with 16 bit data character sign indicating numbers, and delivers to printer 102.Printer 102 is explained these countings and is converted them to the sign character of printing, normally bar code reference symbol form." reference symbol " refers generally to any paper, cloth, plastics, material metal or that other is pliable and tough or rigid body is applicable to and prints or form one or more sign characters and/or data character thereon.Yet the people who is familiar with relevant technologies knows the also any sign character of finger mark on object of " reference symbol " speech, for example the packing of consumer products or the surface printing that forms on object.The reference symbol of printing both can comprise sign character, also can comprise corresponding human-readable data character.The reference symbol 101 of Fig. 1 is reference symbol examples of printing or read in the embodiment of the invention.

The printing device 100 of Fig. 7 displayed map 6 is printed the illustrative steps that a bar code reference symbol with a plurality of sign characters and corresponding data character is finished in subroutine 111.Select for use, import in step 110 or definite data character string, for example use keyboard 107 inputs.This data character string also can input to CPU 104 from principal computer 105 by line 109.When after pressing key on the keyboard 107, the equipment (for example printing device 100 or principal computer 105) that this button promptly is converted to " scan code " and is attached thereto from keyboard receive to keyboard.This scan code is represented the particular key of having pressed on the keyboard, and any concrete character or the value gathered among ASCII for example or the Unicode with data character are irrelevant.

CPU 104 is the different pieces of information character set with selected character classification or grammatical analysis in step 112, alphabetic character for example, and numerical character, octet, 16 bit bytes or character, or the like.The data syntax analytical technology is well-known in the relevant technologies.Any special character of CPU 104 regulations in step 114, for example shift character [S1]-[S4] is respectively the pattern character of numeral, byte and word pattern character [48], [49] or [50] etc.In addition, CPU 104 judges whether have any ECI number to encode in the step 114 in symbol.

CPU 104 determines the sign character string of optimization in step 116 according to the selected data character.For example, all be digital as five continuous data characters, then CPU 104 determines to adopt figure pattern to reduce the information density of sign character number thereby increase institute call sign.Rule that the CPU104 employing is introduced above in step 116 and suggestion are to increase the information density (for example showing shown in the 4-6) in the symbol.

CPU 104 determines the value of symbol of each data character in step 118.The table of data character and their respective symbol value preferably is stored in the secondary storer 108, also has the counting of respective symbol character, as the table in Fig. 2 and 5.Choosing generation ground, value of symbol can automatically calculate from the information of data character.CPU 104 is the sign character that is selected from Fig. 2 table with the selected data character code according to suitable subroutine described herein in step 118.For example, run into a string three or five digit order numbers as CPU 104, then CPU adopts above-described formula (1) and formula (2) respectively.As want encoded byte, then CPU 104 employing formulas (3).

CPU 104 judges whether this symbol will adopt the error correction character in step 120.If, CPU generated error correction character as described above then.Choosing generation ground, CPU 104 adopts above-described check character algorithm to generate check character " C " and " K ".CPU104 partly selects suitable X-dimension according to sign character number to be printed in step 122.CPU 104 selects other formatting options in step 124, for example prints the symbol that has human-readable data character, or other is familiar with the formatting option known to the people of relevant technologies.The suitable sign indicating number of CPU 104 output and other signal are to printer 102 in step 126, and the latter prints to symbol a string sign character (and possible data character) again to form the bar code reference symbol.

For example also can using, the bar code fetch equipment of the bar code fetch equipment 140 shown in Fig. 8 easily reads the 93i symbolism.Fetch equipment 140 has standard bar-code reader 142.Bar-code reader 142 comprises an optoelectronic device 143, laser scanner for example, and grating laser, or based on the optical sensor of wand.Choosing generation ground, the optoelectronic device 143 in the reader 142 can comprise an one dimension or bidimensional CCD, semiconductor array, vidicon or other can convert the light that receives to the planar imaging device of electric signal.Optoelectronic device 143 in the reader 142 also can comprise a light source, LED for example, flashbulb, infrared light supply or other light-emitting component.Used as herein, " reader " speech means and can will be converted to any equipment of electric signal from the light modulated that bar code receives.Reader is known to the person skilled in the art, anyly is applicable to that this class reader of the present invention all can select for use.Read to input to CPU144 from the data of bar-code reader 142.Storer 146 and secondary storer 148 are connected to CPU 144.The data that input to bar-code reader 142 input to principal computer 147 or other application apparatus by CPU 144 processing and by port or line 149.Choosing generation ground, data can be exported by Radio Link.

The step of being finished when the arrangement for reading 140 of Fig. 9 displayed map 8 reads the bar code symbol of the sign character with this symbolism in subroutine 150.Bar-code reader 142 is with sign character scanning or imaging and definite element width of bar code reference symbol, for example by determining a string counting in step 151.Known to the person skilled in the art, the counting of institute's reading symbol character is determined in the conversion between the sign character discal patch together with the timer in the fetch equipment 140.These countings are used for determining each element width of given symbol again.CPU 144 analyzes each counting in step 152, with the location, dead zone at symbol two ends.

CPU 144 selects preceding 6 countings in step 154,6 element width of its expression first string.In step 156 CPU 144 usefulness 9 remove this first 6 countings and with normalization as a result with estimation individual element width.CPU 144 compares the width of preceding 6 elements in step 158 with the width string that opens character, again with the comparison of playing a reversed role that stops the character duration string.As last 6 elements in the string corresponding to opening in the character 6 elements but reversed in order.Then CPU 144 knows this symbol scanned in the other direction, knows that therefore this symbol reads (with traditional opposite from left to right) from right-to-left.

CPU 144 selects following 6 elements in step 160, and in the step 162 with element (counting) sum divided by 9 and with normalization as a result.CPU 144 determines the value of symbol of selected 6 elements in step 164.CPU 144 judges whether this reference symbol comprises any additional elements in step 166, if then the wraparound step 160 all has been converted to value of symbol to finish the step 160 to 164 once more until all sign characters.

In step 168 CPU 144 judge whether generated any invalid/intangibility code sign character.As judge that some sign character is to decode, then the subroutine wraparound to go on foot 160 and CPU144 use other known solutions code method, for example to the edge-to-edge of individual element in the symbol (element to) decoding.Choosing generation ground, CPU 144 uses bars to bar or air to air compare in the step 168, or the Factor R decoding known to the person skilled in the art.

The step 168 in CPU 144 also can confirm or the decision symbol character whether clear.CPU 144 analyzes the sign character signal that is produced by bar-code reader 142, to judge that whether CPU can be familiar with wide element but can not be familiar with singly wide element.Can not be familiar with the wide element of list in one or more sign characters as CPU 144, then CPU makes the miscarriage of decoding subroutine, provides fuzzy data to CPU, or finishes other function, for example warns this symbol of user fuzzy.As CPU 144 are fully programmings, and then it can be according to present inventor's United States Patent (USP) 5,486,689,5,514,858,5,539, and on October 12nd, 191 and/or 1996, the Application No. 08/493,669 of application was decoded fuzzy data.

As symbol clear or as CPU 144 decoded fuzzy data so that all symbols all effectively (promptly mapping to data character), then go on foot in 170 CPU and finish check calculating according to latter two sign character.Choosing generation ground comprises the error correction character as this symbol, and then CPU 144 adopts error correction.As in above-mentioned algorithm, finishing the check or the error correction of check character, go on foot then in 171 where CPU 144 is stored in according to suitable data and from storer 146 or in secondary storer 148 retrieval suitable data character and value of symbol is converted to data character according to look-up table.Then these data characters are shown, or be used for other application scenario, or export principal computer 147 to by line 149 by CPU 144.CPU 144 also explains any displacement or mode symbol value in step 171, for example is respectively the value of symbol 48-50 of numeral, byte and word pattern.When CPU 44 ran in pattern character or other special character (value of symbol 43-52) one, CPU entered appropriate mode or decoding symbols value as described above.Choosing generation ground, CPU 144 can export value of symbol to principal computer 147 by line 149 simply, and the latter converts them to the corresponding data character again.

Though described specific embodiment of the present invention and example for the explaination purpose, can under the condition that does not deviate from the spirit and scope of the invention, make different the change.For example, be coding to comprise CPU 104 or 144 greatly enough, decode, print or read required all data of bar code reference symbol, then do not need also can cancel secondary storer 108 or 148 as storer 106 or 146.Choosing generation ground, CPU 104 or 144 desired datas can be contained in secondary storer 108 or 148, therefore just do not need big reservoir 106 or 146, or do not need this storer.About the 93i symbolism, sign character can be distributed to top with respect to the described different data character of Fig. 2.FNC1 character 51 or specific characteristic tab character 52 can be used for being locked in a pattern to be used to other data character set of encoding.For example, the word pattern character 50 Unicode character that can be used for encoding, and specific characteristic tab character 52 as be positioned at symbol end lockable with coding JISC-6226-1983 character.

In selecting for embodiment, the 93i symbolism can dispense the specific characteristic tab character in symbol central authorities.Generation be that symbol can adopt the error correction character all the time.As the user, printer or computing machine wish to produce the symbol than the hand-to-hand fight in tights seal, then can be simply with the error correction character compression.The result is, printable symbol and be not with five error correction characters.

In another selected for embodiment, the 93i symbolism can adopt an error correction level markup character.This error correction level markup character indicates the rank or the quantity of error correction that given symbol adopts.For example, this error correction level markup character can have in three values, and these three values correspond respectively to three, five or seven error correction characters in the symbol.Error correction level markup character desired positions is near the specific characteristic tab character, for example after the message-length markup character.

In another selected for embodiment, the specific characteristic tab character can place other position of symbol, rather than symbol central authorities.For example, the specific characteristic tab character can place the position of symbol corresponding to (L+2)/2.The message-length markup character can place equidistant position, for example position, (2L+2)/3.Certainly, specific characteristic tab character and message-length markup character can place other position of symbol.

In addition, the present invention can comprise the principle of United States Patent (USP) described herein and/or application, so that attendant advantages and function to be provided.Above-cited United States Patent (USP) is reference with using to draw herein, is intactly set forth just as them.Feature of the present invention can be applicable to other symbolism.For example, the specific characteristic sign can be used for any bar code standard or machine-readable character system so that adopt two kinds of difference in functionalitys according to the position of this class character.In addition, the each side of 93i symbolism is illustrated as herein and is included in the linear code symbolism; Choosing generation ground, these aspects of 93i symbolism can be used in the lamination symbolism of PDF417 for example or for example in the plane symbol system of Code One.

In view of above detailed description, can make these and other change to the present invention.Generally speaking, the clauses and subclauses in the following claims should be interpreted as the present invention is limited to disclosed specific embodiment in instructions and claims, and be understood to include institute's direct coding different pieces of information character that is useful on 8 word bytes for example, 16 character codes, all devices, method and the symbolism of ECI number etc.Therefore, the present invention is not subjected to the restriction of present disclosure, and its scope is determined by following claims fully.

Claims (54)

1. one kind is converted to the method for machine-readable character with data character, and each symbol has dark shape and is in the figure in the light color space between shape, and this method may further comprise the steps:

Determine a plurality of character codes corresponding to a plurality of data characters respectively, wherein each character code has 8;

A plurality of character codes are converted to a plurality of values of symbol, and each in wherein a plurality of values of symbol is selected from a set that is less than 256 values of symbol; And

Print a plurality of sign characters, wherein a plurality of symbols correspond respectively to a plurality of values of symbol.

2. the method for claim 1 also comprises the step of printing the diacritic character, and wherein the diacritic character indicates a plurality of sign characters corresponding at least one octet.

3. the method for claim 1 also comprises the step of printing the diacritic character, and wherein the diacritic character indicates each group adjacent-symbol character corresponding to 16 words.

4. the method for claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

Then adopt the first check character pattern as any one value with first scope in a plurality of values of symbol;

Then adopt the second check character pattern as any one value with second scope in a plurality of values of symbol; And

In the first or second check character pattern, calculate at least one first test value according to a plurality of values of symbol.

5. one kind is converted to the method for machine-readable character with data character, and each symbol has dark shape and is in the figure in the light color space between shape, and this method may further comprise the steps:

Determine a plurality of character codes respectively corresponding to a plurality of data characters;

A plurality of character codes are converted to a plurality of values of symbol;

Come error of calculation corrected value according to several at least in a plurality of values of symbol; And

Print a plurality of sign characters, wherein a plurality of symbols are corresponding to a plurality of values of symbol, and error correction value and one are used to indicate a plurality of sign characters and comprise at least one specific characteristic tag mark character corresponding to the sign character of at least one error correction value.

6. claim 1 or 5 method, wherein the step of Da Yining comprises the step of printing a plurality of sign characters that are selected from symbolism, described symbolism has three shapes and nine unit of each sign character.

7. the method for claim 5, wherein the step of Da Yining may further comprise the steps: the specific characteristic tag mark character that is printed on primary importance place in a plurality of sign characters is to indicate first pattern, wherein a plurality of sign characters comprise at least one sign character corresponding at least one error correction value, and the specific characteristic tag mark character that is printed on second place place in a plurality of sign characters is to indicate second pattern.

8. the method for claim 5, wherein printing step comprises the specific characteristic tag mark character of printing near a plurality of sign character central authorities.

9. the method for claim 5, wherein printing step comprises the message-length sign character of printing in a plurality of sign characters.

10. claim 1 or 5 method, further comprising the steps of:

Select the numerical digit of first quantity;

The numerical digit of first quantity is converted to the value of symbol of second quantity, and second quantity is less than first quantity;

Printing is corresponding to the sign character of second quantity of the value of symbol of second quantity; And

Print a diacritic character, wherein the diacritic character indicates the sign character of at least the second quantity corresponding to numerical digit.

11. the method for claim 1 or 5 is further comprising the steps of:

Selection is corresponding to can be by a number of the preliminary election data of computer interpretation;

With this number conversion is at least one selected value of symbol;

Printing is corresponding at least one selected sign character of at least one selected value of symbol; And

Print a diacritic, wherein this diacritic indicates at least one selected symbol corresponding to one in a plurality of predetermined number.

12. the method for claim 1 or 5 also comprises the step of printing a diacritic character, wherein a plurality of sign characters of this diacritic character denotation are corresponding to a selected location in the symbolic construction set.

13. the method for claim 1 or 5, wherein printing step comprises the step of printing several symbols that are selected from a standard bar code symbol system.

14. the method for claim 1 or 5, wherein printing step comprises the step of printing the diacritic character, wherein this diacritic character indicate at least one symbol that accompanies appear at the class symbol character that is used to form a symbol near.

15. bar-code structure that comprises a plurality of bars that are adjacent to place and between bar, have the space, article at least three, and at least five ten indivedual data characters of the group in three spaces definition one, each group had at least three and three spaces are selected from a plurality of different in width, these different in width are respectively the integral multiples of first and second width, and wherein every group overall width is substantially equal to first or at least nine times of second width.

16. the bar-code structure of claim 14, wherein a group in each group is represented a byte mode data character, and wherein the byte mode character has 8 character code with each group corresponding at least one after indicating.

17. the bar-code structure of claim 14, wherein a group in each group is represented a word pattern data character, organizes corresponding at least one 16 character code after wherein the word pattern data character indicates with each.

18. the bar-code structure of claim 14, wherein some group in each group in fact is equal to each group that is selected from a symbolism standard.

19. one kind is converted to the method for machine-readable character with data character, each symbol has dark shape and is in the figure in the light color space between shape, and this method may further comprise the steps:

Selection comprises a class symbol value of at least two values of symbol;

Select first or second value of symbol, wherein first value of symbol indicate the value of symbol group together corresponding to first pattern and wherein second value of symbol indicate the value of symbol group together corresponding to second pattern; And

Print a plurality of symbols, wherein a plurality of symbols are corresponding to the group of the value of symbol and first or second value of symbol.

20., wherein select one group step to comprise one group of step of selection, and wherein select the step of first or second value of symbol to comprise the step of selecting the first or second digital compression pattern corresponding to the value of symbol of numerical digit string according to the method for claim 18.

21. the method for claim 18 wherein selects first or second step to comprise the step of selecting the 3rd value of symbol, wherein the 3rd value of symbol indicates the value of symbol group and has 8 character code corresponding at least one.

22. the method for claim 18 wherein selects first or second step to comprise the step of selecting the 3rd value of symbol, wherein the 3rd value of symbol indicates the value of symbol group corresponding at least one 16 character code.

23. the method for claim 18 wherein selects first or second step to comprise the step of selecting the 3rd value of symbol, wherein the 3rd value of symbol indicate the value of symbol group corresponding at least one corresponding to can be by the selected number of the preliminary election data of computer interpretation.

24. the method for claim 18 wherein selects first or second step to comprise the step of selecting the 3rd value of symbol, wherein to indicate at least one diacritic character be near a plurality of symbols to the 3rd value of symbol.

25. the method for claim 18 wherein selects first or second step to comprise the step of selecting the 3rd value of symbol, wherein the 3rd value of symbol indicates the value of symbol group corresponding to the selected location in the two-dimensional symbol.

26. one kind is converted to the method for machine-readable character with data character, each symbol has dark shape and is in the figure in the light color space between shape, and this method may further comprise the steps:

Selection comprises a class symbol value of at least two values of symbol;

First and second values of symbol are provided, and wherein first value of symbol indicates the part of value of symbol group corresponding to two-dimensional symbol, reaches the wherein selected location of second value of symbol sign two-dimensional symbol internal symbol value group; And

Print a plurality of symbols, wherein a plurality of symbols are corresponding to the group of the value of symbol and first and second values of symbol.

27. the method for claim 26 wherein selects one group step to be included as the step that two-dimensional symbol is calculated at least one check character.

28. the method that will be formed at the bar code reference symbol decoding on the plane, this method may further comprise the steps:

Each a signal that the imaging of bar code reference symbol is used for representing a plurality of sign characters with generation;

Analytic signal is with the distinguished symbol character; And

Each sign character is converted to corresponding value of symbol, and each in wherein a plurality of values of symbol is selected from a set that is less than 256 values of symbol, and wherein a plurality of values of symbol represent that together at least one has 8 character.

29. the method for claim 28 is wherein changed first step and is judged whether the check character in a plurality of sign characters is checked, and if not, then adopt the error correction character.

30. the method for claim 28, wherein Zhuan Huan step be included in judge whether exist in a plurality of sign characters judge earlier before at least one error-corrected symbols character in a plurality of values of symbol predetermined one whether near the central authorities of a plurality of sign characters.

31. an arrangement for reading that is used for the read machine readable symbol comprises:

An optical receiver is used for receiving reflected light and producing a signal of representing a plurality of sign characters from a plurality of symbols; And

A processor that is connected to optical receiver, be used to receive this signal and a plurality of sign characters are converted to a plurality of values of symbol, each all is selected from the set that is less than 256 word values of symbol in wherein a plurality of values of symbol, wherein each value of symbol is corresponding to one in a plurality of data characters, some character at least in wherein a plurality of data characters corresponds respectively to a plurality of character codes, and wherein each character code has 8.

32. the machine-readable character system with a plurality of sign characters, this machine-readable character system comprise an error correction tag mark character, are used for indicating at least one error-corrected symbols character and are present in a class symbol character.

33. the machine-readable character system of claim 32, there is the error-corrected symbols character when wherein error correction tag mark character indicates when being in the sign character group in the primary importance place, and indicates when being arranged in second place place this sign character group and overlap selected of printable symbol corresponding to one.

34. the machine-readable character system of claim 32, wherein error correction tag mark character is positioned near near the position the central authorities of sign character group.

35. the machine-readable character system of claim 32, also be included at least one the check character character in the sign character group, check character generates according to an algorithm, and this algorithm is different from the algorithm for error correction that is used to generate at least one error-corrected symbols character.

36. the machine-readable character system of claim 32 also is included in a message-length sign character in the sign character group, wherein the message-length sign character has a value, is used for the quantity of tag mark character group data to be encoded character.

37. the machine-readable character system of claim 32, wherein error correction tag mark character comprises many bars that are adjacent to place and space between bar, and wherein these have at least two width one.

38. the machine-readable character system of claim 32, wherein error correction tag mark character comprises many bars of placing and the space between bar contiguously, and wherein these spaces have in two width at least one.

39. the machine-readable character system of claim 32, wherein error correction tag mark character comprises many bars of placing and the space between bar contiguously, and wherein these have at least two height one.

40. machine-readable character system with a plurality of sign characters, wherein a class symbol character forms a printable symbol, this machine-readable character system comprises a specific characteristic tag mark character, when being arranged in printable symbol primary importance place, be used to indicate the use of error correction, and be used to indicate second function when being arranged in printable symbol second place place.

41. the machine-readable character system of claim 40, when specific characteristic tag mark character is positioned at the primary importance place, be used to indicate wherein that the error-corrected symbols character is stored in the sign character group, and when being arranged in second place place, be used for indications sign character group corresponding to selected one of a cover printable symbol.

42. the machine-readable character system of claim 40, wherein primary importance is near the central authorities of sign character group.

43. the machine-readable character system of claim 40, corresponding to selected one an of printable symbol of cover, and wherein a class symbol character comprised the selected sign character of the sign character group that is used to discern this cover printable symbol when wherein specific characteristic tag mark character was arranged in second place place.

44. a printing device that is used for the printer device readable symbol comprises:

A processor is used for a plurality of character codes are converted to a plurality of values of symbol, and wherein a plurality of character codes correspond respectively to a plurality of data characters, and predetermined in wherein a plurality of character codes at least one error-corrected symbols character of sign should be put in the printable symbol; And

A printing mechanism that is connected to processor is used for a plurality of sign characters are printed to printable symbol, and wherein a plurality of sign characters correspond respectively to a plurality of values of symbol.

45. a cover is corresponding to the bar code symbol of a sets of data character, this cover bar code symbol comprises many bars that are adjacent to place and the space between bar, wherein the groups in a plurality of and space form a non-lamination printable symbol, and wherein in the printable symbol at least two group bars and space be the error correction character.

46. this of claim 45 overlaps bar code symbol, also comprises bar and space predetermined group, is used for sign at least two group bars and space and appears at printable symbol.

47. this cover bar code symbol of claim 46, predetermined group of its discal patch and space is arranged in printable symbol (L+2)/2 position, and wherein L is the quantity of data to be encoded character in the printable symbol.

48. this cover bar code symbol of claim 45, wherein at least one first error correction character is positioned near the printable symbol top, and at least one second error correction character is positioned near the printable symbol end.

49. this cover bar code symbol of claim 45 is represented an error correction level markup character for one group in itself and the space group, wherein error correction level markup character is indicating the error correction rank that adopts in printable symbol discal patch and the space group.

50. a cover is corresponding to the machine-readable character of a sets of data character, this cover machine-readable character comprises many shapes that are adjacent to place and the space between shape, wherein many group shapes and space form a printable symbol and wherein in the printable symbol at least the first and second group shapes and space be the first and second error correction characters, reach wherein first and second groups of shapes and space and be arranged in printable symbol non-conterminously.

51. this cover machine-readable character of claim 50, wherein this cover machine-readable character comprises opening of the opposite end that is positioned at printable symbol and stops character, reaches wherein the first and second error correction characters and lays respectively at and open and stop near the character.

52. this cover machine-readable character of claim 50 comprises that also being used to indicate this printable symbol comprises the shape of the first and second error correction characters and predetermined group of space.

53. the machine-readable character system with a plurality of sign characters, this machine-readable character system comprise one together symbol have sign character, be used to indicate at least one symbol that accompanies be present in the sign character group that is used to form a symbol near.

54. the machine-readable character system of claim 53, wherein together symbol to have sign character be that at least one opens or stops sign character in this class symbol character.

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