Three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data for optical machine-reading

Abstract

An object bearing a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data configured for optical rotational machine-reading, the object being a subject of the data, the encoding of data including a multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes formed on a label adhered to a surface of the object, the surface being arranged for rotation in a plane coinciding with the surface, the multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes being formed to reflect light impinging thereupon while the surface is rotated, characteristics of the reflected light representing data encoded within the multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes.

Claims

1. An object bearing a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data configured for optical rotational machine-reading, said object being a subject of said data, said encoding of data comprising: a multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes formed on a label adhered to a surface of said object, said surface being arranged for rotation in a plane coinciding with said surface, said multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes being formed to reflect light impinging thereupon while said surface is rotated, characteristics of said reflected light representing data encoded within said multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes, said characteristics of said light reflected from each of said three-dimensional shapes corresponding at least to physical characteristics of a corresponding one of said three-dimensional shapes and a speed of said rotation.

2. An object bearing a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data according to claim 1 and wherein said physical characteristics of each of said three-dimensional shapes comprise a color of said shape.

3. An object bearing a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data according to claim 1 and wherein said physical characteristics of each of said three-dimensional shapes comprise at least one dimension of said shape.

4. An object bearing a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data according to claim 3 and wherein said at least one dimension of said shape comprises a width of said shape.

5. An object bearing a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data according to claim 3 and wherein said at least one dimension of said shape comprises a length of said shape.

6. An object bearing a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data according to claim 3 and wherein said at least one dimension of said shape comprises a distance between said shape and an adjacent shape.

7. An object bearing a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data according to claim 3 and wherein said at least one dimension of said shape comprises a height of said shape.

8. An object bearing a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data according to claim 7 and wherein said physical characteristics of each of said three-dimensional shapes comprise a material forming said shape.

9. An object bearing a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data according to claim 8 and wherein said height of said shape is characteristic of said material forming said shape.

10. An object bearing a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data according to claim 7 and wherein said physical characteristics of each of said three-dimensional shapes comprise a physical coating of said shape.

11. An object bearing a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data according to claim 10 and wherein said height of said shape is characteristic of said physical coating of said shape.

12. A system for optical rotational machine-reading of data encoded in a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data on a surface of an object, said object being a subject of said data, said system comprising: surface rotating functionality operable for rotating said surface in a plane coinciding with said surface, said surface comprising a multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes formed on a label adhered to said surface; light impinging functionality operable for impinging light onto said multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes, said multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes being formed to reflect light impinging thereupon while said surface is rotated by said surface rotating functionality; light detecting functionality operable, responsive to said impinging light onto said multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes and to said rotating said surface by said surface rotating functionality, for detecting light reflected from said multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes, characteristics of said reflected light representing data encoded within said multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes; and data decoding functionality operable, responsive to said detecting light reflected from said multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes, for decoding said data encoded in said multiplicity of three-dimensional shapes, said characteristics of said light reflected from each of said three-dimensional shapes comprising at least one of an angle of reflection of said reflected light and an intensity of said reflected light.

13. A system for optical rotational machine-reading of data according to claim 12 and wherein said characteristics of said light reflected from each of said three-dimensional shapes correspond at least to physical characteristics of a corresponding one of said three-dimensional shapes and a speed of said rotation.

14. A system for optical rotational machine-reading of data according to claim 13 and wherein said physical characteristics of each of said three-dimensional shapes comprise a color of said shape.

15. A system for optical rotational machine-reading of data according to claim 13 and wherein said physical characteristics of each of said three-dimensional shapes comprise at least one dimension of said shape.

16. A system for optical rotational machine-reading of data according to claim 15 and wherein said at least one dimension of said shape comprises a width of said shape.

17. A system for optical rotational machine-reading of data according to claim 15 and wherein said at least one dimension of said shape comprises a length of said shape.

18. A system for optical rotational machine-reading of data according to claim 15 and wherein said at least one dimension of said shape comprises a distance between said shape and an adjacent shape.

19. A system for optical rotational machine-reading of data according to claim 15 and wherein said at least one dimension of said shape comprises a height of said shape.

20. A system for optical rotational machine-reading of data according to claim 19 and wherein said physical characteristics of each of said three-dimensional shapes comprises a material forming said shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

(2) FIGS. 1A and 1B are simplified pictorial illustrations of examples of three-dimensional rotatably-readable encodings of data configured for optical rotational machine-reading, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

(3) FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified pictorial illustrations of a system for optical rotational machine-reading of data encoded in a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of examples of an object bearing three-dimensional rotatably-readable encodings of data configured for optical rotational machine-reading, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The rotatably-readable encoding of data configured for optical rotational machine-reading illustrated in FIG. 1A preferably includes a multiplicity of three-dimensional concentric curves 100 encoding data. Three-dimensional concentric curves 100 are preferably formed on a surface 102. Alternatively, three-dimensional concentric curves 100 may be formed on an article separate from surface 102, such as, for example, a sticker or a label, which is then fastened to surface 102.

(5) Surface 102 may be, for example, a generally circular surface as shown in FIG. 1A, or a surface of any other suitable shape or dimension. Surface 102 typically forms part of a product 104, product 104 preferably being the subject of the data encoded in three-dimensional concentric curves 100. Product 104 may be, for example, a consumer product or a container having an interior volume, which volume contains a solid or liquid product such as, for example, fresh food, preserved food or raw food.

(6) The data encoded in three-dimensional concentric curves 100 may include, for example, instructions which, when read by a computer, cause the computer to process product 104 or the contents thereof in accordance with the instructions. Alternatively, the data may include, for example, a price of product 104, a catalog number of product 104 or an expiration date of product 104.

(7) It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present invention that three-dimensional concentric curves 100 are formed to reflect light impinging thereupon while surface 102 is rotated in a plane coinciding therewith, the characteristics of the reflected light representing the data encoded within three-dimensional concentric curves 100.

(8) The characteristics of the light reflected from each of three-dimensional concentric curves 100 preferably comprise at least one of an angle of reflection of the reflected light and an intensity of the reflected light, however it is appreciated that the reflected light may have additional characteristics associated therewith. It is appreciated that the characteristics of the light reflected from each of three-dimensional concentric curves 100 correspond to physical characteristics of a corresponding one of three-dimensional concentric curves 100. The physical characteristics of each of three-dimensional concentric curves 100 may include, for example, a color of the curve, a length of the curve, a distance between the curve and an adjacent concentric curve, and a height of the curve as dictated by a physical coating of the curve or by the material forming the curve. These characteristics of the curve are fundamental in characterizing the light reflected from the curve, and are therefore suitable for encoding data.

(9) It is further appreciated that the speed of rotation of surface 102 while light is impinged onto surface 102 also characterizes the light reflected from each of three-dimensional concentric curves 100. Therefore, three-dimensional concentric curves 100 may encode a multiplicity of data sets, wherein encoded data of each data set is represented by light reflected from surface 102 while surface 102 is rotated at a corresponding speed.

(10) Turning now to FIG. 1B, there is shown a rotatably-readable encoding of data configured for optical rotational machine-reading which includes a multiplicity of three-dimensional non-overlapping straight lines 150 which non-overlapping straight lines 150 encode data. Three-dimensional lines 150 are preferably formed on a surface 152. Alternatively, three-dimensional non-overlapping straight lines 150 may be formed on an article separate from surface 152, such as, for example, a sticker or a label, which is then fastened to surface 152.

(11) Surface 152 may be, for example, a generally circular surface as shown in FIG. 1B, or a surface of any other suitable shape or dimension. Surface 152 typically forms part of a product 154, product 154 preferably being the subject of the data encoded in three-dimensional non-overlapping straight lines 150. Product 154 may be, for example, a consumer product or a container having an interior volume, which volume contains a solid or liquid product such as, for example, fresh food, preserved food or raw food.

(12) The data encoded in lines 150 may include, for example, instructions which, when read by a computer, cause the computer to process product 154 or the contents thereof in accordance with the instructions. Alternatively, the data may include, for example, a price of product 154, a catalog number of product 154 or an expiration date of product 154.

(13) It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present invention that three-dimensional non-overlapping straight lines 150 are formed to reflect light impinging thereupon while surface 152 is rotated in a plane coinciding therewith, the characteristics of the reflected light representing the data encoded within three-dimensional non-overlapping straight lines 150.

(14) The characteristics of the light reflected from each three-dimensional non-overlapping straight lines 150 preferably comprise at least one of an angle of reflection of the reflected light and an intensity of the reflected light, however it is appreciated that the reflected light may have additional characteristics associated therewith. It is appreciated that the characteristics of the light reflected from each of three-dimensional non-overlapping straight lines 150 correspond to physical characteristics of a corresponding one of three-dimensional non-overlapping straight lines 150. The physical characteristics of each of three-dimensional non-overlapping straight lines 150 may include, for example, a color of the line, a length of the line, a distance between the line and an adjacent line, and a height of the line as dictated by a physical coating of the line or by the material forming the line. These characteristics of the line are fundamental in characterizing the light reflected from the line, and are therefore suitable for encoding data.

(15) It is further appreciated that the speed of rotation of surface 152 while light is impinged onto surface 152 also characterizes the light reflected from each of three-dimensional non-overlapping straight lines 150. Therefore, three-dimensional non-overlapping straight lines 150 may encode a multiplicity of data sets, wherein encoded data of each data set is represented by light reflected from surface 152 while surface 152 is rotated at a corresponding speed.

(16) Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of a system for optical rotational machine-reading of data encoded in a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data on a surface of an object, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(17) Turning first to FIG. 2A, it is shown that the system preferably includes surface rotating functionality 200 operable for rotating a product 202 comprising a surface 204. Rotating functionality 200 may be, for example, a motorized turntable. On surface 204 there is provided a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data configured for optical rotational machine-reading such as the three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data illustrated in FIG. 1A, which includes a multiplicity of three-dimensional concentric curves 206. As described hereinabove with regard to FIG. 1A, three-dimensional concentric curves 206 may be formed on surface 204 or may be formed on an article separate from surface 204, such as, for example, a sticker or a label, which is then fastened to surface 204.

(18) It is appreciated that the system of FIG. 2A is also suitable for optical rotational machine-reading of data encoded in other examples of three-dimensional rotatably-readable encodings of data, such as, for example, the three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data illustrated in FIG. 1B.

(19) Surface 204 of product 202 may be, for example, a generally circular surface as shown in FIG. 2A, or a surface of any other suitable shape or dimension. Product 202 is preferably the subject of the data encoded in three-dimensional concentric curves 206. Product 202 may be, for example, a consumer product or a container having an interior volume, which volume contains a solid or liquid product such as, for example, fresh food, preserved food or raw food.

(20) As shown in FIG. 2A, the data encoded in three-dimensional concentric curves 206 may include, for example, a price of product 202, a catalog number of product 202 or an expiration date of product 202.

(21) The system of FIG. 2A also preferably includes light impinging and detection functionality 210 operable for impinging light onto three-dimensional concentric curves 206 formed on surface 204, and for detecting light reflected thereby. Light impinging and detection functionality 210 may include, for example, a light-emitting laser.

(22) It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present invention that three-dimensional concentric curves 206 are formed to reflect light impinging thereupon by light impinging and detection functionality 210 while product 202 is rotated in a plane parallel to surface 204, by rotating functionality 200. The characteristics of the reflected light represent the data encoded within three-dimensional concentric curves 206.

(23) The characteristics of the light reflected from each of three-dimensional concentric curves 206 preferably comprise at least one of an angle of reflection of the reflected light and an intensity of the reflected light, however it is appreciated that the reflected light may have additional characteristics associated therewith. It is appreciated that the characteristics of the light reflected from each of three-dimensional concentric curves 206 correspond to physical characteristics of a corresponding one of three-dimensional concentric curves 206. The physical characteristics of each of three-dimensional concentric curves 206 may include, for example, a length of the curve, a distance between the curve and an adjacent concentric curve, and a height of the curve as dictated by a physical coating of the curve or by the material forming the curve. These characteristics of the curve are fundamental in characterizing the light reflected from the curve, and are therefore suitable for encoding data.

(24) As further described hereinabove with regard to FIG. 1A, it is also appreciated that the speed of rotation of product 202 by surface rotating functionality 200 while light is impinged onto surface 204 also characterizes the light reflected from each of three-dimensional concentric curves 206. Therefore, three-dimensional concentric curves 206 may encode a multiplicity of data sets, wherein encoded data of each data set is represented by light reflected from surface 204 while product 202 is rotated at a corresponding speed.

(25) The system of FIG. 2A also preferably includes data decoding functionality 220 operable, responsive to detecting light reflected from three-dimensional concentric curves 206 by light impinging and detection functionality 210, for decoding the data encoded in three-dimensional concentric curves 206. Data decoding functionality 220 is preferably also operable for controlling includes rotating functionality 200 and the speed of rotation thereof.

(26) In the example of FIG. 2A, the data encoded in three-dimensional concentric curves 206 comprises a product code of product 202.

(27) Turning now to FIG. 2B, it is shown that the system preferably includes surface rotating functionality 250 operable for rotating a product 252 comprising a surface 254. Rotating functionality 250 may be, for example, a motorized turntable. On surface 254 there is provided a three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data configured for optical rotational machine-reading such as the three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data illustrated in FIG. 1A, which includes a multiplicity of three-dimensional concentric curves 256. As described hereinabove with regard to FIG. 1A, three-dimensional concentric curves 206 may be formed on surface 204 or may be formed on an article separate from surface 204, such as, for example, a sticker or a label, which is then fastened to surface 204.

(28) It is appreciated that the system of FIG. 2B is also suitable for optical rotational machine-reading of data encoded in other examples of three-dimensional rotatably-readable encodings of data, such as, for example, the three-dimensional rotatably-readable encoding of data illustrated in FIG. 1B.

(29) Surface 254 of product 252 may be, for example, a generally circular surface as shown in FIG. 2B, or a surface of any other suitable shape or dimension. Product 252 is preferably the subject of the data encoded in three-dimensional concentric curves 256. Product 252 may be, for example, a consumer product or a container having an interior volume, which volume contains a solid or liquid product such as, for example, fresh food, preserved food or raw food.

(30) As shown in FIG. 2B, the data encoded in three-dimensional concentric curves 256 may include, for example, instructions which, when read by a computer, cause the computer to process product 252 or the contents thereof in accordance with the instructions.

(31) The system of FIG. 2B also preferably includes light impinging and detection functionality 260 operable for impinging light onto three-dimensional concentric curves 256 formed on surface 254, and for detecting light reflected thereby. Light impinging and detection functionality 260 may include, for example, a light-emitting laser.

(32) It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present invention that three-dimensional concentric curves 256 are formed to reflect light impinging thereupon by light impinging and detection functionality 260 while product 252 is rotated in a plane parallel to surface 254, by rotating functionality 250. The characteristics of the reflected light represent the data encoded within three-dimensional concentric curves 256.

(33) The characteristics of the light reflected from each of three-dimensional concentric curves 256 preferably comprise at least one of an angle of reflection of the reflected light and an intensity of the reflected light, however it is appreciated that the reflected light may have additional characteristics associated therewith. It is appreciated that the characteristics of the light reflected from each of three-dimensional concentric curves 256 correspond to physical characteristics of a corresponding one of three-dimensional concentric curves 256. The physical characteristics of each of three-dimensional concentric curves 256 may include, for example, a length of the curve, a distance between the curve and an adjacent concentric curve, and a height of the curve as dictated by a physical coating of the curve or by the material forming the curve. These characteristics of the curve are fundamental in characterizing the light reflected from the curve, and are therefore suitable for encoding data.

(34) As further described hereinabove with regard to FIG. 1A, it is also appreciated that the speed of rotation of product 252 by surface rotating functionality 250 while light is impinged onto surface 254 also characterizes the light reflected from each of three-dimensional concentric curves 256. Therefore, three-dimensional concentric curves 256 may encode a multiplicity of data sets, wherein encoded data of each data set is represented by light reflected from surface 254 while product 252 is rotated at a corresponding speed.

(35) The system of FIG. 2B also preferably includes data decoding functionality 270 operable, responsive to detecting light reflected from three-dimensional concentric curves 256 by light impinging and detection functionality 260, for decoding the data encoded in three-dimensional concentric curves 256. Data decoding functionality 270 is preferably also operable for controlling includes rotating functionality 250 and the speed of rotation thereof.

(36) In the example of FIG. 2B, the data encoded in three-dimensional concentric curves 256 comprises instructions for cooking the contents of product 252. Data decoding functionality 270, preferably connected to a cooking device such as an oven 280, may then instruct oven 280 to cook the contents of product 252 in accordance with the instructions.

(37) It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.