# US 2013/0153670 A1 · Coded information systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153670 A1 - Document ID: US20130153670A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/702,503 - Filed: 2011-06-10 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2010-06-11 - Assignees: Rnib - Inventors: Duncan Robinson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153670A1 ## CPC - G06K 19/06037: {multi-dimensional coding} - G06K 19/06046: {Constructional details} - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract A code is applied to a part of the retail item or its packaging/label. The code is applied in a repeat pattern. The code is presented in an optical machine-readable format. Code markers are arranged at pre-defined positions within a matrix. An optical machine-readable orientation device indicates the correct orientation of the matrix, so that the position of the code markers within the correctly orientated matrix corresponds to a pre-defined sequence of code integers. The code corresponds to an existing barcode number for the retail item. The code is presented in a manner discreet enough to be part of the printed design of a label or packaging for the retail item, without changing the overall appearance of the printed design. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optical machine-readable code format having an optical machine-readable code zone and a plurality of optical machine-readable code markers arranged within the code zone, wherein each of the optical machine-readable code markers is arranged at one of a plurality of pre-defined positions within the code zone, the code format further including an optical machine-readable orientation device indicating a correct orientation of the code zone, wherein the position of the code markers within a correctly orientated code zone corresponds to a pre-defined code. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An optical machine-readable code format according to claim 1 wherein the pre-defined code contains a number of integers represented by a sequence of code markers within the code zone. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An optical machine-readable code format according to claim 1 wherein the code format further includes an identifier for indicating the number of integers contained in the pre-defined code. ### Claim 4 (canceled) ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An optical machine-readable code format according to claim 1 wherein the code zone is a matrix of points in a pre-defined array, the points in the matrix represent code integers, and the code markers are positioned at a plurality of said points in the matrix, in order to define an optical machine readable sequence of code integers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An optical machine-readable code format according to claim 4 wherein the code markers are positionable at one of a plurality of pre-defined locations associated with a respective point in the matrix, wherein each pre-defined location represents a specific code integer associated with the respective point in the matrix. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An optical machine-readable code format according to claim 1 comprising an array of markers (e.g. dots, crosses or other symbols or shapes) provided in a pattern on a matrix consisting of a plurality of pre-defined points, the pre-defined points in the matrix representing code integers, so that the pattern of markers on the matrix defines an optical machine readable sequence of code integers. ### Claim 7 (canceled) ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An optical machine-readable code format according to claim 6 wherein the orientation device is defined by a unique pattern of markers on the matrix. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) An optical machine-readable code format according to claim 6 wherein the pattern of markers on the matrix includes a plurality of fixed markers and a plurality of variable markers, said fixed markers acting as the orientation device (so that a scanner or imaging device configured for reading the format can determine the correct orientation of the matrix), and all or a plurality of said variable markers representing the pre-defined code. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An optical machine-readable code format according to claim 8 wherein the variable markers are positionable at one of a plurality of pre-defined locations associated with a respective one of said pre-defined points in the matrix, each pre-defined location representing a specific code integer for said respective point in the matrix. ### Claim 10 (canceled) ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An optical machine-readable code format according to claim 9 wherein each plurality of pre-defined locations defines a sub-matrix within said matrix of points. ### Claim 11 (canceled) ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An optical machine-readable code format according to claim 10 wherein one of the locations in the sub-matrix denotes one of a plurality of pre-defined readings, and wherein the code format includes a determination device for indicating which of said plurality of pre-defined reading is applicable. ### Claim 12 (canceled) ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An optical machine-readable code format according to claim 1 wherein the area of the code format is less than 10 mm2 ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An optical machine-readable code format according to claim 1 wherein the code format defines an area and is arranged in a repeat pattern, one area adjacent another (e.g. at a uniform spacing), for scanning with a device configured to read the code format. ### Claim 14 A coded information system including a plurality of retail items each having an associated code which is presented on the respective retail items in an optical machine-readable code format having an optical machine-readable code zone and a plurality of optical machine-readable code markers arranged within the code zone, wherein each of the optical machine-readable code markers is arranged at one of a plurality of pre-defined positions within the code zone, the code format further including an optical machine-readable orientation device indicating a correct orientation of the code zone, wherein the position of the code markers within a correctly orientated code zone corresponds to a pre-defined code, wherein the code corresponds to one of: an existing barcode number for the retail item; a date code for the retail item; or a batch code for the retail item. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A coded information system according to claim 14 wherein the code format is arranged in a repeat pattern, for scanning with a device configured to read the code format. ### Claim 16 (canceled) ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A coded information system according to claim 14 wherein the code format is presented in a manner discreet enough to be part of the printed design of a label or packaging for the retail item, without changing the overall appearance of the printed design. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) A coded information system according to claim 14 wherein the retail items include a printed area containing information about the retail item in one or more of an alphanumeric, pictorial or typographic form, and wherein the code format is applied across at least a portion of said printed area. ### Claim 18 (canceled) ### Claim 18 A coded information system including a database containing information about each of a plurality of different food products, and a unique code associated with each food product in the database, wherein said codes are applied to the food products or their packaging in an optical machine readable format which is repeated over at least a portion of the respective food product or its packaging, the system further including a device configured for optical machine reading the code on the food products and for using the code to access the database and extract information relating the food product, the information including at least one of the following: price, country of origin, best before date, nutritional information, allergy information, weight, special offers, number of servings, preparation information, ready to eat, calorific value. ### Claim 19 (canceled) ### Claim 19 A product identification system comprising an electronic database of unique codes, each code corresponding to a particular product, an optical machine-readable code format displaying a code which represents or corresponds to one of the unique codes, and an optical imaging device configured for reading said code format to identify said unique code, wherein the system is configured to enable a user to scan a product with the optical imaging device, identify the optical machine-readable code format applied to the product or its packaging, and then electronically retrieve information about the product by interrogation of the database of unique codes using the code displayed by the code format, wherein the system is configured to enable the user to electronically record information about the scanned product, and to electronically update the information about the product by re-scanning the product or its packaging using an optical imaging device configured for reading said code format to identify said unique code. ### Claim 20 (canceled) ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A system according to claim 19 wherein the system is configured for electronically re-ordering a quantity of said product after re-scanning of the product. ### Claim 21 (canceled) ### Claim 22 (canceled) ### Claim 24 (canceled) ### Claim 26 (canceled) ### Claim 34 (canceled) ### Claim 35 (canceled) ### Claim 36 (canceled) ### Claim 37 (canceled) ### Claim 38 (canceled) ### Claim 39 (canceled) ### Claim 40 (canceled) ### Claim 42 (canceled) ### Claim 43 (canceled) ### Claim 44 (canceled) ### Claim 45 (canceled) ### Claim 46 (canceled) ### Claim 47 (canceled) ### Claim 48 (canceled) ### Claim 49 (canceled) ### Claim 50 (canceled) ### Claim 51 (canceled) ### Claim 52 (canceled) ### Claim 55 (canceled) ### Claim 56 (canceled) ### Claim 57 (canceled) ### Claim 58 (canceled) ### Claim 59 (canceled) ### Claim 60 (canceled) ### Claim 61 (canceled) ### Claim 62 (canceled) ### Claim 63 (canceled) ### Claim 64 (canceled) ### Claim 65 (canceled) ### Claim 66 (canceled) ### Claim 67 (canceled) ### Claim 68 (canceled) ### Claim 69 (canceled) ### Claim 70 (canceled) ### Claim 71 (canceled) ### Claim 72 (canceled) ### Claim 73 (canceled) ### Claim 74 (canceled) ### Claim 75 (canceled)